Chapter Text
Shirabu grew up with tons of people besides his family living at his home. He grew up with maids and butlers. The first person he saw in the morning was a maid who always opened the curtains of his bedroom to wake him up. His parents wouldn’t even let him just set an alarm on his phone for that.
He was used to it. Some of the staff had been here since he was a young child, others even longer than that, and then there were those that came and went. Shirabu was also used to that. He didn’t particularly have any feelings for most of them anyway. He did like his piano teacher, whom he had known since he was six years, though.
One of the few things Shirabu looked forward to every day.
There soon would be another thing he’d look forward to every day soon.
Shirabu wasn’t introduced to new staff. So he didn’t know when exactly Kawanishi was hired to be one of their family’s bodyguards. The first time he met Kawanishi was outside in front of the manor. He had just arrived home, and got out of the car, when he saw the black car parked next to them and the young man standing in front of the car.
He was tall, with blonde hair and a blank expression on his face. He looked… good. Especially in that dark suit of his.
"Kenjirou!“ a voice appeared and they both looked up to see Shirabu’s aunt walking out of the door. She was like always overdressed in a long dress and a thick fur coat.
Shirabu smiled faintly. "Aiko-san,“ he greeted her. "Where are you going?“
"Tokyo,“ she replied and smiled, her lips painted in a deep red like always. "I’m spending the weekend there. And I told you to drop that '-san‘. I’m your aunt who you grew up with, not some stranger!“
Shirabu didn’t even ask why. He never really bothered with what his aunt was doing anymore, like the rest of his family. He unconsciously glanced to Kawanishi and his aunt giiggled.
"That’s our new bodyguard,“ she explained. "He’s accompanying me for the weekend. What was your name again?“
"Kawanishi Taichi,“ Kawanishi introduced himself and bowed lightly in front of Shirabu. "It’s nice to meet you.“
"He’s pretty isn’t he?“ his aunt said, resting her hand on Kawanishi’s arm. "And fairly young, too.“
"Yeah he is,“ Shirabu blurted out and felt his cheeks heating up. Oh my god, he did not just say that. "I mean, young. He is young.“ He cleared his throat and his aunt laughed.
"He’s probably not much older than you,“ she said.
"I’m twenty three,“ Kawanishi said and his aunt nodded.
"See? Just a little bit older than you. Open the door for me, Kawanishi, would you?“
Kawanishi nodded and opened the door for her and she got in. Shirabu didn’t know why he was still standing there and watched. Usually, he wouldn’t even have bothered to talk to his aunt for so long and send her off. When Kawanishi closed the door, he turned to Shirabu.
"I think that too, by the way,“ Kawanishi said.
"Excuse me?“
"That you’re young.“ And there it was. A light smirk that made Shirabu blush harder and hate him even more. Kawanishi got in on the passenger seat and the car drove off. Shirabu couldn’t even move for a while, just stared after the black car. Then he groaned and put his face into his hands.
Stupid bodyguard. What was that even about? Did he just flirt with Shirabu? Oh my god, he called him pretty. In a way. And then he smirked. And it was such a nice smirk and Shirabu really wanted to die right there on the spot. Was that guy stupid? He was young, that must be the reason why. He was new, didn’t know he couldn’t flirt with his clients. Well, technically Shirabu wasn’t his client.
That still didn’t change the fact that he had been flirting. He had, hadn't he?
Shirabu hoped he’d just won’t see the guy ever again and that it would just be a one time thing and ran inside the manor.
He didn’t want to see Kawanishi again.
Really. This was just… because it was the first time a guy flirted with him. Nothing else. Shirabu had known for a while that he liked guys too, but no guy had ever interested him. Not that he was interested in their family’s new bodyguard, but…
Okay, maybe he was a little bit. It didn’t hurt to peek, right?
"What are you doing, young master?“ one of the butlers asked him when he saw Shirabu in front of the windows, kneeling on the desk where usually a pot plant was. Shirabu looked at the floor next to him where the plant was now and hesitated.
"I’m sorry,“ he apologized. "I’ll put it back later. I can even clean up-"
"No, you shouldn’t worry about that,“ the man said. "I was just wondering. You should be careful. You could fall down.“
Shirabu nodded. "Thank you for your concern. I just wanted to check my aunt’s arrival.“
"I don’t want to intrude, but why don’t you go down to greet her yourself?“
He didn’t have an answer for that, so Shirabu just turned away. "You are intruding. Now, would you please leave me alone?“
"Yes, of course. I apologize.“
The butler was probably bowing now before he walked away and Shirabu kind of felt bad, but he couldn’t have thought of an explanation. Hell, he didn’t know why he was doing this either. He just wanted… to see the guy. The car arrived and parked in front of the manor. Shirabu held his breath, when the front doors of the cars opened. The driver opened the door for his aunt, but that wasn’t what Shirabu was interested in.
It was the other male that came out of the car. Who still looked so good in his black suit. He wondered how a guy with such messy blond hair made it into this job. Shouldn’t he at least comb it?
His aunt talked a little bit with Kawanishi. He wasn’t surprised. Aiko had always liked young, handsome men, not that she ever laid hands on them anyway. But then she looked up and spotted Shirabu. She smiled brightly and waved her arm and Kawanishi turned around and their eyes met.
Shit. Mission abort! Shirabu flinched, slipped and fell down the table. And his stupid ass somehow managed to bang his head against the windowsill.
Shirabu’s head hurt when he woke up.
The first thing he saw was a white ceiling and when he looked around, he saw that he was in a hospital room.
"You can cover it up with your bangs,“ a voice said and Shirabu closed his eyes again when he identified the voice. Nope. This was a bad dream. This was not happening right now, the gods wouldn’t hate him this much. He was a good person, he had never done anything wrong in his life. Maybe it was punishment because he got everything he wanted. That could be the only explanation for Kawanishi being in his room.
"I know you woke up, don’t pretend to be asleep.“
"No,“ Shirabu said. "I’m still asleep.“ He turned his head away. "I’m in a coma.“
"You only got three stitches,“ Kawanishi said. Why was he so calm?
"I got three stitches?!“ Shirabu shouted and sat up immediately. "Ouch!“ He closed his eyes again. Shit, that had not been a good idea, it hurt even more.
"Lie down,“ Kawanishi said. He was now standing at the end of the bed, still in his black suit, his hands in the pockets of the pants. "So, are you awake or not?“
"Why are you asking?“
"So I know if I should let the others know you woke up.“
Shirabu lied down again. "Would you go away if I said yes?“
"No.“ Was that amusement he could hear in the other male’s voice? Shirabu closed his eyes again. This must clearly be punishment for his wealth.
"I’m asleep then.“
"So you want me to watch you sleeping again,“ Kawanishi stated and Shirabu’s eyes opened again.
"You watched me sleep?“
"I’m sorry, I should correct myself. I watched you while you were in a coma,“ Kawanishi said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Shirabu took a deep breath. "You haven’t been a bodyguard for long, have you?“
"What makes you think that?“
"You don’t flirt wi- I mean… Forget it.“ Shirabu blushed harder and turned away and put the duvet over his head. "Please let them know I’m awake.“ And ready for my funeral.
"Very well.“ Kawanishi turned away and let them know over his earpiece that Shirabu had waken up. Shirabu allowed himself to peek under the covers to Kawanishi. This was embarrassing. Never in his life had he embarrassed himself so much. He was known to be the perfect fine heir, always calm and polite. This wasn’t him.
Kawanishi noticed his look and flashed him a light grin again and Shirabu hid under the covers.
Nope. He was going to have him fired. Shirabu felt bad for Kawanishi, but that was the only way out of this.
"I’m sorry,“ Shirabu blurted out.
"For what?“ Kawanishi asked. "For watching me over the window and then fall down when you were spotted?“
Shirabu didn’t even dare to peek out of his covers anymore. He knew how red his face must be right now. "I wasn’t… watching you.“
"Your aunt then.“
"I’m sorry that I have to fire you,“ Shirabu explained. He took a deep breath and finally sat up again. He had still some pride left and when he was firing Kawanishi, he at least should look him in the eyes. He had learned this from his father and as his heir, he should learn at a young age already.
Kawanishi seemed unimpressed. "You’re firing me?“
"Well, I have to talk to whoever is in charge first, but yes,“ Shirabu said. "I apologize.“
"You’re firing me,“ Kawanishi repeated. "Because you’re embarrassed.“
"No, I’m not firing you because I’m embarrassed.“ He totally was. "I’m firing you, because you…“ Kawanishi raised his eyebrows and Shirabu was searching for words. "It doesn’t matter. You’re young, I’m pretty sure you can find another job. It’s not that exciting to be a bodyguard of this household anyway, nothing ever happens.“
"I can’t believe you’re firing me just because you’re embarrassed.“
"Did you just ignore everything else I said?“ Shirabu complained and the taller male just shrugged.
"I’ve never been fired before because of that,“ Kawanishi explained. "You don’t need to be embarrassed, young master.“
"Could you please not call me that? You’re not working for my family anymore anyways. I just fired you. See? Fired.“ Shirabu tugged on the bedsheets. "So, you should leave now.“
A nurse and a doctor came inside and bowed lightly before them.
"Good, but fire me after I give you a ride back,“ Kawanishi said.
"Where’s my driver?“ Shirabu asked.
"I don’t know, maybe the young master has fired him because of embarrassment too.“ Kawanishi smirked and walked out of the room.
Shirabu really didn’t like that guy. Nobody had ever talked to him like that. You’d think a bodyguard would know how to behave!
He had thought that was the last time he saw Kawanishi. It wasn’t.
Two weeks later he saw him at the manor again, when Shirabu just finished his piano lessons. He was just standing in the hallway, again in a black suit.
"What are you doing here?“ Shirabu asked. "I thought I fired you!“
Kawanishi raised his eyebrows. "It’s nice to meet you too, Shirabu-san.“
"I fired you,“ Shirabu repeated. "I know I did.“ It had been embarrassing, because Shirabu had never fired anyone before. He had felt like those textbook clichéd spoiled kids who fire staff members to their liking all the time.
"Your aunt hired me again,“ Kawanishi explained.
"She did what? She does know I fired you, right?“ Shirabu never actually cared for his aunt’s antics. She did a lot of things most of their other family members didn’t approve of, but they didn’t have bad feelings towards her. She was still part of the family and never rude. But this?
"Yes, she does. She asked me why you fired me.“
Shirabu widened his eyes. "You didn’t tell her the reason, did you?“
Kawanishi smiled. "No.“
Shirabu breathed out, he had never been so relieved before. "What did you tell her?“
"That I don’t know the reason either,“ Kawanishi stated. "Then, she hired me again.“
Shirabu crossed his arms. "I can’t believe Aiko just hired you again because of your face.“ Those words came out of his mouth faster than his brain could process it. God damn it. Usually, Shirabu was calm and compressed and thought before he spoke, but right now he was a mess.
Kawanishi smirked. "You think it was because of my face?“
"She… likes handsome guys,“ Shirabu said, looking everywhere but at the other male. Those curtains were nice, he had never really paid attention to them. A deep dark red and…
"I’m glad you think I’m handsome,“ Kawanishi said. "But that wasn’t the reason.“
"What was it then?“
"Oh, Kenjirou, I see you’re talking to Kawanishi again!“ his aunt said, walking towards them with a big smile. "Why did you fire him? He didn’t do anything wrong, did he?“
"Aiko-san, why did you hire him again?“ Shirabu asked, sighing.
"I thought something was off when you fired him!“ she explained. "You don’t usually fire anyone. You don’t care for anyone, except for that piano teacher of yours, but he’s old and you basically grew up with him.“
Oh no. She knew. She knew that Shirabu was very gay and also very weak for Kawanishi.
"So I thought: What’s the reason! And then I understood!“
"It’s not what you think-"
"You’re not used to someone in your age!“ His aunt smiled brightly and clapped her hands together.
"What?“
"Shirabu, you’re like an old man in a body of a twenty year old boy! You should get along with more people your age,“ she explained.
Shirabu took a deep breath. Well, this was better than her knowing the truth, but it was still so very wrong. He rubbed his temples and shook his head. "First of all, I’m twenty one. Second of all, Aiko-san, he’s a bodyguard, you can’t hire someone again just because you want me to get along with them. Bodyguards aren’t friends for hire.“
She just rolled her eyes. "You don’t have to be friends, just don’t go around firing people! You want to step in your father’s footsteps one day, right? You’ll get used to people your age! He’ll be around here more often now, don’t dare about thinking about firing him again unless you have a reason!“
"I have a reason!“ Shirabu shouted.
Both Kawanishi and Aiko were surprised. "You do?“ his aunt asked.
Shirabu opened his mouth and closed it again. "I don’t… he… I don’t like his hair, it’s so… blond. It’s wrong.“ What was he even saying at this point? He had no idea anymore. Maybe he should just go to his room and never come out ever again.
"Oh my…“ his aunt murmured in a sad tone. "You don’t like my hair either?“
"No! I like your hair, Aiko-san. It just doesn’t fit him!“
"I could dye it,“ Kawanishi suggested.
"No, don’t dye your hair! Forget it. I’m going to my room.“ He turned around and walked away.
I don’t like his hair. How stupid can you be to say something like that?
Was Kawanishi even his type? Shirabu doesn’t know if he even has a type. Someone who went to an all boys school would know what his type was, right? Wrong. Nobody at his old school had interested him at all and in university there wasn’t anyone either.
The only other guy Shirabu had been somewhat interested in, had been Ushijima. Not that he knew him, he had never properly talked to him, but he couldn’t deny that he thought that the bodyguard of Goshiki’s family was hot. He was nothing like Kawanishi though. Maybe the fact that they were both tall? Or… that they were both bodyguards. Maybe that was Shirabu’s type. Bodyguards.
Not that it mattered anyway.
He didn’t see Kawanishi that often anyway. Shirabu’s family didn’t assign him a personal bodyguard for everything, they weren’t that paranoid. Unless it was during the cooler seasons when the days got shorter and the nights longer and Shirabu had late classes.
He was so surprised, when he came out of his classes at 6pm, when everything was dark already and spotted Kawanishi standing in front of him.
"What are you doing here?“
"I’m your bodyguard,“ Kawanishi explained. "I was assigned to you.“
"No, you were not.“
"I was.“
"No, you’re not,“ Shirabu repeated. "I’m firing you again.“
"You know you can’t do that.“
Shirabu pulled his scarf over his face. "I’m heading to the library,“ he said. "I’ll spend a long time there. You can pick me up later when I tell you. Just wait at the car.“
Kawanishi’s expression didn’t change. "I’ll come with you,“ he said. "How long do you intend to stay there?“
"Long. I have to do a lot of things,“ Shirabu said and Kawanishi nodded.
"We should get going then.“
"But-" Shirabu sighed and just gave up. "Okay.“
Shirabu liked keeping to himself. He didn’t have many friends. Well, to be honest, he didn’t have any friends. He talked with the other students too, and they were all polite to him, but Shirabu could never actually get close to them. Maybe it was because they were too different. They lived in different worlds. And those who did live in the same like him… Shirabu couldn’t really get along with them either. Some yes, most not.
He never minded being alone.
Technically, he wasn’t always alone. He had his bodyguards, or maids and butlers, but Shirabu never paid attention to them. They were just there and Shirabu was fine with that. They didn’t talk with each other and Shirabu was used to their presence.
He wasn’t used to Kawanishi. He was just a bodyguard like several others he already had, but it was different.
During their times in the library, they didn’t exchange any words either. Kawanishi just sat there and didn’t say anything and Shirabu wondered how high his salary must be for such a boring job. Meanwhile. Shirabu could barely concentrate on studying. He was too aware of the other male sitting right next to him.
This was horrible. Shirabu just wanted a peaceful life, not this.
He stopped going to the library and just went straight home, because then Kawanishi would leave him alone. It was good and peaceful. He didn’t have to see Kawanishi more than absolutely necessary. They didn’t really talk much anyway and Shirabu was happy. Maybe he had finally forgotten all of it and they could have the usual relationship you have with you bodyguard.
Everything was turning out well.
Okay, everything was not turning out well. They were on their way to the car, when Shirabu’s stomach growled.
"Are you hungry?“
Shirabu nodded. "Yes. We should hurry up and get home.“
Kawanishi took out the keys of the car and opened the door for Shirabu. "Do you want to go eat somewhere?“
Shirabu stared at him and he knew what the right answer was. He should just decline and say he’ll eat whatever the cooks made at home. But he didn’t. Instead, he swallowed hard and nodded. "Okay.“
"Kawanishi.“
"Yes?“
"Why did you take me here?“ Shirabu asked and turned his head to him.
Kawanishi smiled. "I wanted to see your reaction.“
"To going to McDonalds?“
"Have you ever eaten here?“
"Of course I haven’t,“ Shirabu said.
"Good. Do you need me to explain how it works?“ The past two weeks that he had been Shirabu’s bodyguard, they barely talked and even before that they haven’t really in a long time. This was the first time they were again, the first time Kawanishi was teasing him again.
"I know how it works,“ Shirabu shot back.
"Pity. I once had been here with someone who thought a waiter would come to their table.“
Shirabu rolled his eyes. "That’s ridiculous.“
"We have to stand in a queue,“ Kawanishi said. "Do you mind?“
Shirabu glared at him. "Stop mocking me.“
"I’m sorry, young master.“
Shirabu took a deep breath and turned away. He looked at the menu and he tugged on Kawanishi’s sleeve unconsciously. "I don’t know what to get. What’s good?“
"Leave it to me,“ Kawanishi assured him. Shirabu only half listened to Kawanishi’s order, but when they were finished, Shirabu glared at him.
"I’m not stupid, you know? I know what the hell a Happy Meal is.“
"Who said it’s for you?“
"Please, I know it’s for me. You like to mock me.“ Shirabu huffed. "Maybe that’s reason enough for me to fire you.“
"It’s not.“ Kawanishi led them to an empty table with their tray and sat down. Shirabu sat down on the other side and eyed the boxed meal.
"Do you really expect me to eat a Happy Meal?“
Kawanishi opened the box for him and smiled. "It has a toy. Look.“ He brought out a plastic toy. "It’s a Me-Mario.“ The way he said it, in a completely calm and monotone voice was what cracked Shirabu up. A laughter escaped his lips and just as it did, Shirabu quickly covered his mouth with his hands. Kawanishi smiled and placed the toy on the table in front of Shirabu.
"I see you like it.“
"I don’t,“ Shirabu said and took the Mario plastic doll in his hands.
"Okay, give it back then. I love Mario.“
"No.“ Shirabu shook his head. "It’s mine now. Hand me the food.“
Kawanishi chuckled and handed him the food. "I hope it’s okay for his majesty.“
Shirabu glared at him and too a hamburger out of the box. He unwrapped it and took a bite. "It’s not that bad.“
He found out that he really liked the fries. And that he didn’t have enough fries. "You want my fries, right?“ Kawanishi asked, when Shirabu was staring at them.
"Yes.“
"Sucks to be you.“ Kawanishi shrugged and continued eating his fries. What an asshole. Shirabu darted out his hand to steal some fries, but Kawanishi slapped his hand away.
"Hey!“ Shirabu complained.
"What, will the prince fire me now?“ Kawanishi asked, a smirk on his lips and god. He really hated that stupid blond, handsome guy who took him to McDonalds out of all places.
"Give me fries, and I won’t.“
Kawanishi sighed. "That’s a hard choice.“
"Sucks to be you.“ Shirabu smiled and Kawanishi chuckled.
"Close your eyes.“
"What?“
"Do you trust me?“
"Not really,“ Shirabu admitted, which made Kawanishi roll his eyes.
"I’m your bodyguard, you should trust me. I’d never do anything to harm you.“ Why did those words make Shirabu feel so warm inside?
"Fine.“ Shirabu closed his eyes.
"Open your mouth.“
What was he doing? Shirabu tried hard to control his faster beating heart, when he suddenly felt something cold and sweet on his tongue. He opened his eyes and Kawanishi leaned back again. "Fries dipped in milkshake,“ Kawanishi explained.
"It’s… good.“ He was honestly surprised by it. "It’s really good! Give me more fries and more milkshake!“
"You’re eating all of my food,“ Kawanishi complained, but he gave Shirabu his milkshake and fries. "Don’t dip in too much.“
Shirabu leaned forward to dip in the fries and suddenly Kawanishi’s hand went up to brush Shirabu’s bangs out of his face. Shirabu stopped midway and looked up to meet Kawanishi’s eyes with his. He blushed and sat back quickly, eating the fries.
"We should get going soon.“
"Yes, we should,“ Kawanishi agreed.
There was an awkward silence in the car. Shirabu didn’t know what to say, so instead he just looked out of the window. Should he say something? "Thank you,“ he then said after a while.
"For taking you to McDonalds?“
"I guess.“ Shirabu glanced over to Kawanishi, who really shouldn’t look this good behind the wheel. "It wasn’t that bad.“
"But not good enough that you’d ever go there again?“
"Take me out somewhere else next time,“ Shirabu blurted out and Kawanishi turned his head to him. "Watch the street, I don’t want to die.“
God, he shouldn’t flirt with his bodyguard. Really. It was wrong on so many levels. Not only was he his bodyguard, he was also a guy. And Shirabu was his family’s heir. He shouldn’t be doing this.
"Noted,“ Kawanishi said after a while. "Next time I’ll take your somewhere even less fancy.“
"Why would you do that?“
"I told you, I like seeing your reactions.“
Shirabu shook his head. "You need to do more than that if you want a proper reaction out of me.“
Kawanishi hummed. "You mean surprise you more?“
"Yes.“
"What would you do then, if I’d kiss you?“
Shirabu jerked up and opened his mouth. "I- Don’t- Don’t ask something like that out of the blue! You can’t do that. You’re still my bodyguard! A-And a guy. What made you even think I’m interested? I mean… are you really that new to your job? That’s not how-"
Kawanishi started laughing.
"Why the hell are you laughing?“
"I got a reaction out of you.“ He smiled softly and Shirabu groaned.
"I’m firing you. You’re fired. I’ll say you kissed me and overstepped your boundaries as a bodyguard and they’ll fire you,“ Shirabu said.
"I’ll tell them you kissed me first.“ Kawanishi said.
"Please, they wouldn’t believe you anyway,“ Shirabu stated. "Plus, why do you think I’d kiss you first?“
Kawanishi stopped the car and only now Shirabu realized they weren’t on their usual road back home. Instead, they were somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
"Where are we? What are you-"
Kawanishi unlocked his seatbelt and leaned forward. He placed a hand on Shirabu’s cheek. He was so close and Shirabu’s poor, weak heart couldn’t take this. They were all alone in the middle of nowhere and it was dark outside, so dark he could barely see Kawanishi, but he was also close enough for Shirabu to see those shadows on his face. He could feel Kawanishi’s breath against his skin and when Kawanishi leaned in closer, his forehead against Shirabu’s, who let out a faint cry.
"Kawanishi-"
"Was I right?“
"What?“
"Would you kiss me first?“
Why was he sounding so calm? Shirabu was dying over here. He glanced up into Kawanishi’s bedroom eyes and he really wanted to lean in and kiss him. He shouldn’t. His entire mind should be thinking of all the reasons why he shouldn’t do it, but instead it thought of why he should.
"Yes,“ Shirabu said and leaned in and placed his lips against Kawanishi’s.