Synopsis: You’ve been involved in a sweet situationship with Toji Fushiguro for 3 years. Money and sex are the trade-off for a life of luxury. Over the years, you seem to have blurred the lines between sugaring and wanting a life with Toji.
part 4: You try to pick your life after the Fushiguros destroy it but it’s not that simple. You have to pick your battles and sometimes….you lose
[part 1], [part 2], [part 3]
“Were you expecting my husband...Bunny?” She smirks. You step back as she walks inside. Her heels click away as she walks towards the kitchen. She sets her purse down.
“I didn’t know,” You whisper.
“Do you have tea? Why don’t you put some on? Let’s have a chat.” She smiles, climbing up and sitting on a stool. You quickly send an SOS text to Satoru before walking out to the kettle. Anna taps her acrylic nails on the counter, the whole time sending your nerves up the wall. Your hands shake as you hand her the tea.
“This is my favorite tea. Did Toji buy it?” She smirks. You don’t respond, only stand on the other side of the island. She takes a sip and wipes the corner of her mouth.
“Can we just get this over with?” You whisper. She laughs, throwing her head back.
“You’ve been fucking my husband for who knows how long....You don’t get to rush this, you little whore.”
Ouch. You flinch at her words. She tilts her head before turning and looking at the apartment from her seat.
“Did you design this yourself?” She asks. You dig your nails into your palm and nod.
“How long have you been fucking my husband?” She asks. You take a deep breath, trying to convince your heart you’re not in danger.
“4 years.” You whisper your voice, shaking at every word. You’ve never been in a confrontational situation. You grew up always getting your head down to avoid trouble. Now you are smack in the middle of it with a deranged housewife.
“4 years. We’ve been married for 6 years. That’s a long time to be a mistress.” Anna pulls out a pink vape and takes a pull.
“There’s no smoking.” You mumble, picking at your nails. She chuckles.
“I pay for this place so I can do what I want.” She responds, taking another hit. You don’t make eye contact, which makes her laugh. She lays the vape on the table. You remember how much Toji hated you smoking, and you wonder if he hated it because it reminded him of her.
“You had no idea, Toji and I owned this building, did you?”
Your eyes snap toward her direction. She holds her belly and throws her head back laughing. She wipes the fake tears from the corners of her eyes before looking at you with another demeaning smile.
“Toji put you on the top floor with no neighbors. He put you in a little box, my love. God, do you think you’re the first and only woman he’s cheated on me with? Gave this false lifestyle. I always find out. Now, how are you going to pay me back?” She asks, taking a hit from her vape again. You play with the end of your shirt. She gets up from her seat and knocks the teacup over, spilling the liquid everywhere. She approaches you. You flinch when she raises her hand. Anna smiles before touching your cheek. She gives it a pat.
“How much did my unfaithful husband pay you every time you spread those legs?” She asks, taking a hit from her vape and blowing it into your face. The smell of mango makes you dizzy, and you step back. Anna uses her foot to hit the inside of your foot, making your left foot move, spreading your legs. She blows into your face again.
“I want every cent back. You’re going to pay it back. There’s not a company in this country that doesn’t bend over for my father. Once I leak your name, you will never be able to work in this country. Do you understand?”
“I don’t know how much he’s spent on me. I have some saved up. I can pay you that and-”
“How much?” She cuts you off.
“Half -half a million.”
She laughs that annoying high-pitched laugh. Throwing her head back, holding her belly.
“Little girl, you don’t even know how to trick right! What is Mei-Mei teaching at the dollhouse? Dear god. Did you think this was going to be forever? He would leave me for you. Ha-Hahaha!” She laughs, buckling over as embarrassment fills your veins. You want to crawl into a hole and die. She stops abruptly and looks over your tearful expression.
“Dear God....Toji...Toji was your first. He was your first time wasn’t he?” She whispers with a look of almost sorrow, but it vanishes quickly into a smile. She covers her mouth to hold in her laughter as you look away, not wanting her to read you anymore. Anna grabs her purse and pulls down her shades.
“I’ll have my accountant look over our account, and I will send the bill. The amount you owe me will break you. Why don’t you go beg Mei-Mei for another job at Dollhouse? It’s the best I can do. I wouldn’t want to put you in a company where you’ll sleep with another married man. But that is what you’re good at. I’ll be in touch, Bunny...Do answer.” She shouts before leaving the apartment. Your legs give out, and you crumble to the floor, breathing heavily. You grab at your chest, clawing at your heart. The apartment began to tilt as your brain tries to find comfort for you. I’m going to die, the thought sends your body further into fight or flight mode. With all the blood rushing to your ears, you fail to hear Satoru and Suguru calling your name. Satoru scoops you up and carries you to the bathroom. Suguru turns on the shower as Satoru rocks you.
“Hey. Hey. Come back. Breathe one two three.” He counts. Your heart lets up. The shaking slows down, but you keep your eyes closed, listening to the sound of the shower. Waterfall. It calms you slowly as Satoru strokes your back. It’s your calming. You forgot about that. It’s been so long since you had a panic attack.
“I’ll clean up the spill,” Suguru whispers, leaving the bathroom. Satoru kisses your forehead as you steady yourself in the silence of the room. The last time you had a panic attack was when you failed an exam after cramming all night. Disappointment drives you to panic attacks. Your poor parents. You’ve shamed them in the worst way possible.
“Your parents......they’re not disappointed in you,” Satoru whispers. You open your eyes and stare up at his blue ones. They look so peaceful, like you could drift away in them for all of eternity. You push away from him and stand up with shaky legs. He helps you to the living room. You sit down and tell them about Anna.
“Fuck her. Listen, I will give her the money-”
“No. I’m not going to drag you into this.”
“You’re not in this alone. We can help you-”
“I need to figure this out alone. I appreciate you guys wanting to help, but I refuse to get you caught up in my mess. I’ll get her money back.” You take a deep breath and slouch on the couch. Satoru joins you he throws his arm around your shoulder.
“I need to move the fuck out of here. ASAP.” You sigh. The next few days, you and Satoru spend packing. You fully move back into your old apartment. You haven’t heard from Toji, which is probably for the best. Anna is surely insane and isn’t going to let you live peacefully. You’ll pay her and disappear for sure. Satoru rests his head on your lap. The two of you started binge-watching something of his choosing, but you haven’t been paying much attention. The worries of how much you owe Anna are eating you alive.
“We should do something. Crazy?” Satoru suddenly sits up. You nod, encouraging him to go on. Listening to your best friend, the two of you end up fulfilling your dream at Twister Twos piecing and tattoo shop. Shoko walks into your living room and eyes you, then Satoru, and finally Suguru. Using her pointer and pinky finger, she points to you and Satoru.
“Why are these idiots in their underwear with ice on their genitals?” She laughs. Suguru smirks.
“They got pieced.”
“Jesus.”
“So worth it,” Satoru mumbles. You give a thumbs up. Shoko plops next to you on the couch.
“Mei-Mei said you could work the bar. There’s a position open.” She replies, placing her feet on your coffee table.
“Whoa, whoa, what?” Satoru winces as he sits up.
“Dom doesn’t pay me much. I want to earn money fast. The quicker I get to pay Anna back, the quicker she leaves me alone.” You reply. He shakes his head.
“All three of us could just chip in and pay-”
“I said no. This is my mess. I’ll fix it. She just wants her money back.”
Shoko shakes her head. “It’s never about the money. It’s about humiliating you until she’s bored. I grew up with a bat shit insane mother. I would know.”
“Guys. It’s okay.” You smile even though your heart and brain were fighting each other. You want to tuck your tail in, run back home, but the thought of your parents sends you into the abyss. Their looks of disappointment and judgment. They would disown you. They raised you to be the best and strive for the best. They had you when they were older, so their values often aligned with what they grew up on, and no room for change. Your older brother was their perfect child. Successful. Perfect grades. Good at sports. You? An Accident. A girl. A mistake. You were pushed to be perfect like him, and where you failed, you felt it. You shake your head as Shoko holds your hand. You give her a soft smile. As soon as you turned 18, you hauled ass out of your hometown. You made a promise with your parents that you wouldn’t come back until you were just as successful as your brother. If you returned home now, what would they think? Disappointment. You can hear your father’s voice. You plug your ears, drowning him out. Satoru’s laughter snaps you back, and you look over to him, smiling. He holds your hand, and you nod.
5 weeks later, you stand behind the bar at the DollHouse, making 10 times as much as you did at the dry cleaning place. A guy winks before slapping down a big tip. You tuck it into the bra and keep making your rounds.
Mei-Mei smirks, watching you from upstairs. She pulls out her phone, snaps a photo of you, and sends it to Toji. Her phone rings instantly.
“Bunny is out of the fox house, huh?” She smirks, leaning on the rail.
“Mei-Mei....” Toji whispers.
“When she came here a few weeks ago, I thought it was a joke. You would never share her, but it must be true? The guys have lined up to get that one. I can’t tell you how many offers I’ve-”
“Mei... Fire her-”
“Anna says she owes her a lot of money. She is working off her debt.” Mei-Mei replies, laughing.
“Bunny doesn’t owe her anything. I never spent anything from our account.”
“I hate married couples. You guys figure it out. I’ll keep an eye on Bunny.” Mei-Mei ends the call as Anna walks up the stairs.
“Bottle service.” Anna smiles, walking to the VIP room. Mei-Mei calls down to the bar to request bottle service. You leave your post with the goods and head upstairs. Bottle service always gets you a good tip, so you are excited. All the excitement leaves your body when your eyes land on Anna. Mei-Mei motions you over. Taking a deep breath, you walk towards your doom. Anna takes a hit from her vape before smiling at you. You place the items on the table and quickly turn to excuse yourself, but Anna doesn’t let you.
“Bunny, you’re here to entertain. You’re a bottle girl, so entertain us.” She laughs. Your soft eyes plead with Mei-Mei. Mei-Mei opens her mouth to object, but Anna throws her hand up.
“Entertain me. You’ve done so well with my husband; now it’s my turn. I want to see what drove him so crazy that he would actually step out on our marriage for it.” She sits up smiling. Anna places her red bottoms on the table and presses play on the speaker. The music starts, and you stare at her, waiting for the ground to hopefully collapse and swallow you whole. Anna kicks the table, scaring you out of your thoughts.
“I said fucking dance!” She shouts. You slowly move your hips and turn away from her.
“Bunny, that’s enough.” Mei-Mei jumps in. Anna reaches into her bag and throws money towards you. You watch the bills fall to the floor.
“There’s the earnings you litte sl-”
“Bunny, you’re dismissed for the night.” Mei-Mei jumps in again. You leave the money and walk out with the little dignity you have left. Mei turns to Anna.
“Toji cheated on you. Going after her isn’t going to help your marriage. Leave the girl alone.”
“Mei-Mei, I am just getting started.”
You grab your things from the back rooms and leave the Dollhouse swiftly. You stand outside, about to call an Uber, when Toji appears.
“No. Stay away from me! You and your crazy fucking wife deserve each other.”You shove his chest, but he doesn’t move an inch.
“Why are you working here?” Toji asks, ignoring your comments. You turn away from him, crossing your arms.
“I have to pay your wife back and-”
“You don’t owe her anything. I used my own money separate from her account.”
“She is stalking me and making my life a living hell. I’ve tried to put my degree to use for a decent-paying job, and I get turned away before I can even get a proper interview. Because of her! Both of you have ruined my life.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? That’s it?”
“Bunny, don’t worry about Anna. I’ll pay her back.” Toji steps towards you as your eyes have begun to blur. He pulls you into a hug. Your brain tells you to shove him away, but your heart…your heart knows these arms like no other. You allow Toji to hug you in silence.
“Let me take you home.” He mumbles. You sniffle and nod. The ride back to your place is quiet as the familiar structures speed by. You begin chewing your bottom lip as the laundromat comes into view.
“How…How did you know I moved here?”
Toji coughs and loosens his tie.
“I purchased Dom’s business so-”
“You and your wife are so fucking sick. You’re stalking me! Stay the hell away from me!” You scream, getting out of his car and slamming the door. You rush inside and upstairs, trying your best not to break down further. You slam your front door and lean your back against it as you slide down to the floor. You bring your knees to your chest, and you cry. Two minutes into your crying session, there’s a knock at the door. Toji leans his head against the door.
“Bunny…I don’t know how many times I can say sorry.”
“Can you pay her off and both of you get out of my life.”
“Bunny….You know I can’t do that. I’ll pay her off but…I need to…I want to be in your life.”
“As what?”
Toji is quiet on the other side. You stand up and place your ear to the door.
“As your person.” He mumbles. Person?
“I want to get married someday. You can’t even promise me that. Do you love her? Do you love me?”
“Bunny, it’s super fucking complicated, babe. I can’t snap my fingers and be done with her.”
“Do you love me?”
Toji remains quiet. You peek through the peephole and see him leaning on your door.
“I do love you.” He replies. You step back, unlock your door, and open it. Toji steps forward and cups your face.
“I love you.” He whispers against your lips. You nod your head, throwing your arms around him. Toji scoops you up and closes the door with his foot.
1 year later......
Toji rubs his eyes and yawns, contemplating whether he can end the meeting earlier or be stuck through another 45 minutes of nonsense. Shiu gives him a friendly elbow to wake him up. Toji straightens up and returns to the presentation. His eyes drift down to the wedding ring on his finger. He zones out and circles it around his finger. Toji’s phone rings, and he excuses himself. Shiu glances at Hiromi, but the other male shrugs and looks back at his phone. Toji returns and ends the meeting early. The room clears out, leaving Shiu and Hiromi.
“What’s been going on with you?” Shiu questions sitting at the table. Toji begins throwing things into his briefcase.
“Dark eye bags, zoning out during important meetings, getting to work late. You look like shit, and you’re not being a proper CEO. It looks back on the company, and it looks weak to your opponents.” Shiu states, shaking his head.
“I’m just going through a lot of shit right now. I need you to cover my meetings in the morning.”
“What? Listen, are you on drugs? Be honest?” Shiu asks, getting down from the table. Hiromi raises his hands.
“Let me step out of the room before you answer.” He jokes. Toji shakes his head.
“No I’m not. Cover it. Thanks.” Toji grabs his case and walks out of the conference room.
“And you’re grumpy!” Shiu adds, turning to Hiromi. Toji rushes to his car and home. Unknowingly to him, Megumi has been following his father and waiting outside the apartment complex where he arrived. Toji punches in his door code and steps inside. He drops his case and rushes to the bedroom.
“Hana, I’m sorry a meeting ran-”
“It’s okay, Mr. Fushiguro. I understand you’re a busy man. I need to get home early today to help my grandma.” Hana smiles. Toji steps over to the crib.
“She wasn’t too fussy today, right?”
“No. She was an angel. Her 3-month check-up is at 7:30am. Feel free to schedule her next check-up anytime I’m available to take her.”
“Thank you, Hana. Get home safe.” Toji replies, scooping up the infant. Hana grabs her purse and walks out of the bedroom towards the front door. When she opens it, Megumi stands there. He glares at the teenager.
“Is this where my dad sneaks off to? To be with a high schooler?
“Ummm-”
“Megumi…what are you doing here?” Toji appears. Megumi steps inside and glares at his father. Hana excuses herself.
“I followed you because Anna said…you were cheating on her again.”
“No.”
“No! I just saw a girl-”
“Keep your voice down. Follow me.” Toji whispers. Megumi raises his eyebrow but follows his father into a bedroom. Toji nods down towards the crib. Megumi peeks inside. His head snaps to his father.
“This is your little sister, Love,” Toji whispers. Megumi stares at the infant. Love begins to stir awake, and Toji reaches down to scoop her up.
“That girl isn’t-”
“No. That’s not her mother.” Toji replies, rubbing his daughter's back, then walks out of the room towards the kitchen. Megumi follows him and sits down at the island while Toji prepares a bottle.
“Tsumiki’s tutor, right? Where is she?” Megumi asks. Toji nods.
“I don’t know. It’s probably better that way. Anna…..Anna can’t find out about Love. Do you understand Megumi?”
Megumi stares down at the counter. Toji hated to put his son in this situation. But he has done a good job of concealing his daughter from Anna and everyone else. He couldn't have Megumi ruin that and get Anna involved, who knows what she would try to do. Toji hands Love to Megumi. He takes the infant and stares into her green eyes.
“Love Fushiguro?” Megumi asks. Toji nods with a smile. Megumi mirrors the smile and pokes at her cheeks. Toji hands the bottle to Megumi. He watches the two interact. Two months ago, you left a newborn at the penthouse. A year ago, after Toji said he loved you, you completely disappeared. He was crushed, heartbroken even. He tried to find you, but it was as if you vanished into thin air. Your friends refused to tell him anything; even with all of his resources, it was always a dead end. He started to think Anna killed you off, but then….you left Love. That was the only way Toji knew you were alive and existed. If this was the only piece of you he was allowed to have, then he was going to cherish it.
A/N: I’m sorry it took me so long but I had to finish up my last semester! I graduate and will now be able to write more! I have a few more chapters of this and I have a Viking Toji fic coming out soon too (special request) 😭💛
I’m going to try to post an update of Sugar Baby Hell at some point this week! Thank you for the kind words of encouragement and waiting for an update 💗
There have been a few asks about the next update of Sugar Baby Hell. Unfortunately, I will be discontinuing it and will no longer be writing. Thank you for all the support, and I apologize for ending on a cliffhanger.
MASTERLIST
PAIR Toji Fushiguro x f!reader
SYNOPSIS "Ghost of a tether": the haunting, lingering connection a spirit has to the mortal world, often bound to a specific location or object
Zenin Toji worked hard to escape the prison forged for him within the Zenin Clan. Hardened by years of abuse and the need to prove his worth, he settles into a reckless routine of indulgence funded by his new line of work. Just as he's convinced himself he's cut off every tether holding him to the jujutsu world, a presence he can't ignore begins to linger at the edges of his newly constructed routine, threatening to unravel the detached man he’s fought so hard to become.
warnings: vampirism, grief, loss of a spouse, blood imagery, emotional vulnerability, dark romance, morally grey character, power imbalance
authors note : I finally decided to get into writing again, yay! I plan to make this an au series, maybe a full fic one weekend. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
Vampire!Tojiwho swore that once he lost his wife to the wicked curse of mortality and all the illnesses that came along with it, he would never try again for love.
Vampire!Toji who spent years in his castle; his only companions were his books, his sword, and the wine he tricked himself into believing was blood just to control his hunger.
Vampire!Toji who knew he was cursed once more, plagued even when he first saw you. A soft little creature that had wandered too close in curiosity to his estate. You hadn’t meant to, but the grand opulence was too much for your curious mind to ignore. (And most certainly, the rumors in the village did not help your wandering thoughts, a monster in the shadows of the elegant grandeur.)
Vampire!Toji who couldn’t help himself. Your blood was sickly sweet, like a forbidden treat he tried so hard to ignore. He knew he should escape to his library or maybe even the catacombs beneath, but- he instead opened the door and allowed you inside.
Vampire!Toji who eyed your neck as he walked just slightly behind you to allow you to wander his abode, the soft and supple flesh calling out his name. Tempting him.
Vampire!Toji whose thoughts were broken instantly when you spoke. “Everyone calls you a monster, you must be rather lonely.” You say softly, eyes twinkling as you look at his towering figure. Nobody cared for his thoughts or feelings for quite some time- not since his late wife’s passing.
Vampire!Toji who for this first time in what felt like centuries- was speechless. Red eyes blinking slowly, tongue gliding along his fangs in thought, hands clasped behind his back, and his ascot suddenly feeling too tight.
“I do not frighten you, little dove?” He asks, softer than he had in ages. Toji Fushiguro was not a man of kindness, gentleness, nor welcoming after the death of his only love 50 years prior. He was a vampire, a man of blood and loyalty to the darkness because it asked nothing of him. Built in the shadows, hollow and broken and quiet, and indifferent to the ways of mortals. Until now.
“Should I be frightened?” The question was a whisper in return from you, allowing him to give you a reason to take away the kindness and soft interest you have already began to feel towards the man out of pure curiosity. You were much to naïve, maybe even a bit dumb for so blindly trusting a man you had just met.
But that was quite alright- Vampire!Toji would protect you. And monsters were very good at keeping what is theirs.
synopsis: you’ve been involved in a sweet situationship with Toji Fushiguro for 3 years. Money and sex is the trade off for a life of luxury. Over the years you seem to have blurred the lines between sugaring and wanting a life with Toji.
cw: MDNI, toxic relationships, smut, cheating (Toji is married), age gap (reader in her 20s, Toji is in his 30s), oral (m&f receiving), mating press, dirty talk, fingering, public sex, mentions of revenge porn, degradation, choking, anal sex, anal fingering, loss of virginity, porn with plot, (5.6k words)
[part 1] [part 2]
A/N: Part 3 of Sugar Baby Hell; Finding out about Toji's children has wrecked you, but you reminisce about finding out about his wife years ago. Are you going to be able to let go of him, or is it easy for him to kiss and make up?
“Is that son of a bitch your sugar person?” Satoru asks through clenched teeth. You can’t respond because you’re trying to learn to breathe again. Hr rubs your back, and you take in the backyard. There’s a large pool, a guest house, and what looks like a maze that leads into the woods. You turn to Satoru, and he pulls you into a hug. Nodding your head, you answer his question.
“I should kill him.” Satoru rubs your back as your shoulders begin to shake.
"Get me out," you gasp through sobs, stomach churning. Satoru eyes the door. Only path: through the house.
“We have to go through the house. Are you going to be okay?” He whispers, pulling back to look at you. You wipe your tears and nod. Just excuse yourself, saying you’re under the weather, and get out of there. After collecting yourself, you follow Satoru back inside.
“Is everything okay? Dinner should be done soon. Tsumiki, why don’t you show her around until then?”
“Anna-”
"Toji, go wash up for dinner," Anna interrupts with a smile, sending him off. Tsumiki grabs your hand and leads you upstairs past family portraits to her pastel-blue, minimalist room on the 3rd floor. She sits on her bed, chatting about homework. You barely pay attention.
“Is everything okay?” She asks.
“Yes. Sorry. Can I see your textbook?” You ask. She points to her desk and starts texting on her phone. You walk over to the desk and look at the textbook.
“You’re really pretty,” She says, getting off her bed and sitting at her desk. You give her a shy thank you before looking through her textbook. Being in the same house as Toji and his family leaves you with a heavy feeling in your chest. You keep thinking that taking a deep breath will relieve the pressure, but it only pushes it down further. Tsumiki starts talking about her swimming team, which is ironic because your head is swimming.
“Bathroom?”
“Oh, you can use mine or the one in the hallway or-”
“I’ll be back.” You give a smile and walk out of the room, rushing to the bathroom. You close the door behind you, ready to call Satoru, when you get a text from Toji.
Toji: Come downstairs.
You: Fuck you!
Toji: Bunny....please
You slam your phone on the sink, not wanting to hear anything he has to say. Satoru texts you, explaining Anna is currently talking his head off, and he’ll come for you as soon as possible. Quietly, you sneak out of the bathroom and down the stairs, scanning for an exit. Just as you reach the hallway, Toji grabs your elbow tightly and drags you toward the backyard and around the side of the house. Once you’re out of sight, he lets go, and you smack him hard. Once. Twice. You ready your hand for a third hit, but he grabs your wrist.
“You piece of shit! You have fucking children!”
“Why are you at my fucking house! I have limits and-”
“You think I knew where you lived? I came here for a job and got the shock of my life. You are such a piece of shit.”
“Oh, because you’re the queen of holiness? You were fucking a married man. Don’t act like you're innocent in this.”
Your eyes widen, and you snatch your hand away from him.
“You have children-”
“I have a son and a step-daughter.” He corrects you. You pinch the bridge of your nose, trying to stop the tears.
“I don’t share my personal life. That was never our agreement. Do I know what you do in your personal life?” He asks. Another crack in your heart as realization hits.
“I never had to because you became my life.” Your voice cracks, and you step back. He attempts to grab you, but you hold your hands up.
“I want nothing to do with you. You can have everything back. I’ll find a way to pay you back. Just don’t contact me.” You whisper.
“I can’t do that. You know I can’t.”
“Because you love me? You care about me?”
Toji is quiet. He rubs his hands over his face. And for the first time in 3 years, he calls you by your first name. Toji steps forward and cups your face in his hand.
“This is as complicated for me as it is for you. Don’t give up on us.”
Us? He’s never spoken about the two of you as a pair. Toji bends down and kisses your lips. You grab at his shirt, opening your mouth, letting him melt away the negative feelings. The back door opens, and you both pull away. You cover your mouth and turn to the pool while Toji coughs and fixes his shirt.
Toji's son shouts that dinner is ready. Toji brushes past you as you try to calm yourself. Back inside, Satoru quietly asks if you want to leave, but Anna insists you stay. Dinner is awkward, and you focus on not looking at Toji. Megumi and Tsumiki talk about their activities. Satoru helps keep the conversation going.
“Will you accept the job?” She asks. You head shoots up from your meal, and you look at Satoru for help.
“You know this might not be the right job for her. She’s a little airhead.” He says ruffling your head. You smack his hand away, laughing. Toji clears his throat. Anna smiles.
“Don’t be like that. You came with high praise. It’s important that Tsumiki passes this semester. Please consider yourself hired.”
“I’m out of practice. So-”
“I looked you up.” Anna smiles. Your heart rate increases, and you don’t dare look at Toji. Satoru holds your hand.
“What do you mean?” You ask. Anna sets her napkin down on her lap.
“Children, you are dismissed. Get washed up and ready for bed. Thank you.” She waves them off. You squeeze Satoru’s hand under the table. Your knee bounces as chills run down your body. Anna places her elbows on the table and rests her chin on her folded hands. Her eyes stare you down.
“You were on an academic scholarship. You majored in Business. You’ve no family in the area, the last job you had was at a mom-and-pop laundromat, but you’re driving a brand-new Audi S8, wearing the latest from a very pricey designer, not to mention that Chanel necklace cost a fortune. In fact, it was just two weeks ago that I told my dear husband how beautiful I thought it was. My question for you is, where do you get the money?”
“I can explain-”
“She’s my girlfriend, Mrs. Fushiguro. I spoil her. I can’t help it, do you see this face?” Satoru cuts you off and leans in with a kiss. Toji’s jaw ticks. Anna smiles.
"Satoru, you sly dog. Bring your girlfriend to work, huh? So romantic. Consider yourself hired. Satoru will handle your schedule. Some days, you’ll pick up the kids—we’ll pay extra. Right, honey?" She looks at Toji, who doesn’t answer. Anna takes his silence as yes.
“Dinner was great. I didn’t make dessert, so you’ll have to excuse me. I have to go check on the children. Toji, walk them out, please.” Anna says, standing and walking off. You stand up, grab your purse, and rush to the front door. Toji and Satoru are on your heels. Satoru gets to your first cutting Toji off.
“Stay the fuck away from her.”
“Excuse me?” Toji’s eyes look at you, fumbling for your car keys, then back at the male standing in his way.
“Bunny, just meet me at the apartment. I want to talk to you.”
“Hey, old fuck did your hearing go out? I said stay away from her. I mean it.”
“Bunny, please be there,” Toji calls after you. You slam your door and start the car, pulling off.
You skip the apartment for your own sanity, hiding at Satoru’s. He updates you on Anna, who asks about your start date. You beg Satoru to get you out of the job, but he says quitting may look suspicious. You later walk into Dom’s laundromat, smiling.
“Look at this?” Dom smiles. You slide the Help Wanted sign to him.
“I knew you would be back. Those looks can only get you so far.” He jokes. You roll your eyes, not wanting to hear anymore. You’re happy to get your old job and apartment back. You agree to tutor Tsumiki after school at the local library. She’s a smart girl, but her head is currently in guys and gossip, which is why she is barely passing math. Toji stopped calling you after the second week, which is a relief, but you also miss him. This whole thing has left you devastated. Yes, he has a wife, but now children? You held onto that stupid, hopeless dream that he would leave his wife for you, but now there are children in the mix. You remember finding out about his wife....Two years into the situationship.
*****
You dropped your purse onto the counter nd made your way to the bedroom. Toji was lying, scrolling through his phone. You immediately ran over and jumped on him. He chuckled and put his phone down. The bags under his eyes make you sad. He looked exhausted. He had been out of the country for a week, and the only thing he could do was give you quick calls. You bend down and kiss his lips.
“I missed you,” You smiled into the kiss. Toji placed his hands on your hips and slid down to your ass, gripping it. You reached back to hold his hand when your finger grazed over something metal. Toji pulled his hand back, but you grabbed his wrist. The black ring stared back at you like a mockery. You climbed off his lap. Toji sat up and ran his hands down his face.
“You’re fucking married?” You shouted, standing to your feet.
“Bunny-”
“Fuck you! How dare you lie to me! How long have you been married?”
“I never lied to you. I don’t talk about my personal life. You know that. As for your question, 3 years now.” He replied, rubbing his forehead. No. You’ve been seeing him for two years now. You loved him. No. This was purely two people engaging in a transactional relationship. Right?
“You’re cheating on your wife. You took vows.” You mumbled.
“My wife and I have an understanding. I don’t question what she does, and she doesn’t question what I do.”
“She knows about me?”
“No. Bunny. She doesn’t know anything. Listen to me-”
“You made me a fucking mistress. I thought you were some rich guy who happened to be a sex addict, but of course you're married.” You laughed at how wrong this whole thing was. Toji stood up and approached you, but you shoved him. He was a mountain of a man and didn’t move an inch.
“Bunny, it doesn’t matter what I do in my personal life. It doesn’t concern you. Here in this apartment, this is where we exist together. I don’t have time to deal with your emotions because that's not what we are. You give me sex, I give you money. Wipe your tears, pick up the gift box I got you, go change into your present, and spread your fucking legs.” He whispered, rubbing your face. You moved his hand and wiped your tears. Silly of you to think he cared about you. You looked at the pink gift boxes on the nightstand. Your bottom lip trembled. Toji sighed and stepped back. You walked away, snatching the box and retreating to the bathroom with the little bit of pride you had left. Once Toji heard the shower start, he sat on the bed looking at text from Anna. He spent the whole week catering to Anna and her father, and it drained him to the very core. All he wanted to do was come home to you and stay there for a week. He stupidly forgot to take his ring off. That’s what sleep deprivation does to a person. Lack of sense. Cruelty. He shouldn’t have said that to you. That was beyond fucked up. Toji opened an app on his phone and sent you 10k. His weak attempt at an apology. The bathroom door opened 45 mins later. You stood in the doorway shyly. Toji leaned forward in his chair and set his water on the table. He loosened his tie as his emerald locked on yours like a predator. You wore the lavender set like a secret made visible. The two piece clung to you in soft layers; soft mesh floating against your skin. At your chest, the fabric was gathered gently, stitched together by pearls in the shape of a heart. Your hand played with the ruffled sides that stopped just under your breast before dipping lower and playing with the pearls that held your crocthless underwear on your hips. Toji used two fingers to motion you over. You walked over as quietly as a mouse. Toji stared up at you, his green eyes showing a much softer side of him.
“My wife means nothing to me. In this apartment, I don’t want to think about her.” Toji whispered, rubbing your hands. You looked down at his left hand, noticing the ring was gone. You nodded your head.
“I-I want more than what we agreed on then.” You whispered, looking away from his eyes. Toji let go of your hands and chuckled. Right. As long as you got your money, that’s all that mattered. Money made morals fly out the window. Toji knew that firsthand. He picked up his phone and deposited 25k into your account. He slammed his phone down.
“Are you happy?”
“Yes.” You lied. Toji grabbed your arm and dragged you to the bed, tossing you down. You stared up at him, biting your lip to hold back tears while he stripped.
“You sat up here acting like you had morals, but as long as you get your money, you’ re open to anything, right?” Toji chuckled, grabbed your leg, and pulled you down toward him.
“Yes! Because fuck you! If you’re going to use me, I’m going to use you back!” You shouted. Toji bent down to kiss you. Your mouths met with more force than tenderness. It wasn’t soft or forgiving. It was sharp and fueled by unspoken words. The heat of anger still buzzed under your skin as you pulled his hair. Toji bit down on your lip, drawing blood. The kiss was uneven, breath stolen and returned in quick, frustrated bursts. For a moment, nothing else existed, and in this room, Toji was yours, and you were his. His wife didn't matter. Toji ripped the top of your set off, halting your kisses. He sat up and turned you around on your stomach with ease and aggression. Toji forced you to your knees. You braced yourself for the smacks. They came quickly and sharply. Tears pooled on your waterline, but you held it in. Your body jerked with every smack.
“Bunny. Is it too much?” Toji stopped. He could see the outline of his hands on each cheek. You turned to look at him.
“Do you fuck your wife like this?” You asked. Toji’s jaw ticked. He smirked and tilted his head.
“Only dumb sluts who fuck for money.” He replied. You smiled. You reached down between your legs, running your middle finger between your drenched folds.
“Well then, I'd better earn my coins.” You joked before pulling your wet finger from your pussy and sucking on it. Toji licked his lips. He rubbed your ass, and you moaned.
“Kiss it better.” You looked back, telling him. Toji raised his eyebrow.
“Kiss my ass.” You said through clenched teeth. Toji bent down and kissed each cheek before going lower, eating you from the back. You gripped the sheets, rocking your hips. Your eyes widen when his tongue makes its way back up. Toji’s tongue began circling your virgin hole. You throw your head back, letting the new sensation take over every cell in your body. Your thighs trembled with excitement. Toji sat on his knees, and you whined at the cool air hitting your intimate parts. Toji got off the bed and went to the nightstand. He pulled out a box of condoms and lube before taking his position behind. His face returned to your hole. Toji worked you open with his tongue and finger. You couldn't help but cum, which he promptly used to further lubricate. Toji’s cock was leaking and painfully hard; he had few choices fuck you first or have you swallow him. Your back arches as he slides into you. Toji went almost a week without your pussy. He wasn’t going to deny himself anymore. He pushed your face down onto the pillow, his hips slammed into you, creating loud slapping sounds against the expensive walls of the penthouse.
“Don’t stop! Fuck me!” You cry out, throwing your ass back. Toji had no intention of stopping. Toji spread your cheek before spitting between them and circling your puckered hole. You open your mouth lazily, crying out as his finger pushes past the tight muscle wall. Toji’s name fell out of your mouth endlessly.
“That’s right, baby. Let them know who’s making you feel this good.”
“Toji! Oh my-” Your legs shake as he uses his left hand to land a hard smack.
“Fuck me back, baby. That’s right, pretty girl. Fuck that’s right, baby. Oh, Bunny, keep squeezing just like that.” Toji praised you. Your body tensed. The pressure in your lower belly builds and builds, and when Toji pushes a second finger into your ass, you cross your eyes and scream as you cream onto his cock and bed. Toji isn’t far behind you. His hips are like a magnet, and he continued to slam into you with no mercy as you cry and shake below him. Toji pulled his fingers out, and you clench around the air as he grabbed your hips roughly, shooting thick ropes of seed into your womb. He bends down to kiss your back, coated in sweat. Once both of you can breathe normally, he lifts up. Your head is still buzzing from the second orgasm.
“Bunny, I’m going to fuck you back here tonight.” He whispered. In your dazed state, you manage to turn over on your back. You nod your head once, then twice. Toji looks down at the box of condoms and lube.
“I’m guessing you won’t be returning to your wife tonight,” You mumbled. Toji stared down at you.
“No. Bunny. I’m going to use every hole tonight. I don't plan on returning to her for a few days.” He smirked. You spread your legs.
*****
You smack your head trying to get rid of the memory. You found out Toji was cheating on his wife with you, and you rewarded him with your anal virginity. You really are a bimbo.
“Hey, tits. Where’s Dom?” A guy walks in, slams his hands down on the counter. You look over at the clock. It’s 4:30.
“We’re closed, so I guess he’s home.” You reply with a smile. The guy grumbles something before walking out. You hate working here again, but you refuse to touch any of Toji’s money. Satoru asks a million times why you didn't save the money he was giving you. The truth is, you did. You had a separate account from the one to which Toji sent money. You have a lot of money saved up, but it’s more of an emergency fund. Would this count as an emergency? You close up shop and head upstairs to your apartment. That’s your daily routine. Work, tutor, cry in your small apartment. Did Toji even care anymore? Did he find someone else? The phone calls and texts stopped, so you can only assume. There are some things you want to get from the apartment, but you’re scared to run into Toji. You open your freezer and pull out a tub of vanilla ice cream and sit on your couch, eating and crying. A knock comes to your door 15 minutes later. You wipe your eyes, set your ice cream down. It’s Satoru with more ice cream and other snacks. You let him in, and he tells you to change out of your dirty ex-bf shirt.
“I mean, he wasn’t your boyfriend, so I guess ex-sugar person shirt?” Satoru jokes. You throw a pillow at him before walking to your bedroom. You wear this shirt every night. You cry in it. You sleep in it. You masturbate in it. It still smells like Toji, and you can’t help it like an addict drawn to their drug of choice. Except yours is a 6’2, muscular, married, father of two grown-ass man. You toss the shirt down and grab a tank top. You sit on the bed looking at the last text from Toji. 3 weeks ago, when shit hit the fan, he asked you to come to the apartment. The music coming from your living room snaps you out of your head. You put your phone down and walk over, opening the door. Satoru holds up a spaula, smiling, singing into the makeshift mic.
“I got chills, they’re multiplying. And I’m losing control. Cause the power you’re supplying. It’s electrifying.” He sings, dancing over to you and handing you a fake mic. You snatch it, smiling.
“You better shape up. Cause I need a man, and my heart is set on you. You better shape up. You better understand, to my heart I must be true.” You sing back, dancing around the kitchen.
“You’re the one that I want. Ooh Ooh Ohh.” You both sing, dancing around each other. For the 3-minute song, everything disappears, and your sadness is replaced with smiles and laughter. Satoru remembers your favorite movie, and doing anything to get you out of your funk is why he’s your best friend. He orders pizza, and you binge on junk food from the convenience store and watch and sing Grease. You miss junk food and staying up late with him. After you got with Toji, you changed. No more fast food, a good, balanced diet, and expensive food you could barely pronounce. But now you’re sitting here eating Takis and having a burping contest at 3 am. Satoru places the Dr.Pepper can on the table. You let out your last burp before following. He smiles.
“I regret bringing you to the dollhouse. Mei-Mei.....I thought she would keep you safe because you were friends with me.”
“Toji....he was probably the safest option that night.” You try to joke, but Satoru doesn’t smile.
“You stopped talking to me, and I should’ve never let it happen. I should have tried more to be there for you.”
You shake your head. You hate that he’s blaming himself. You made those decisions yourself.
“None of it is your fault. I choose to step out of my old life. I think I felt a little shameful. You guys had money. You came from good families. I was making my money by letting some rich guy bang me. I thought it was best to cut you guys off. Maybe had I not, I could’ve seen how fucked that situation became.” You hold Satoru’s hands. His blue eyes twinkled. You reach up and rub his cheek.
“I don’t want to lose our friendship again. I don’t want to lose you.” He whispers. Your heart breaks. You squeeze his hand.
“You’re not. We’ll always be together.” You sing. He smiles and pulls you ina hug. That’s not everything on his mind, but it would be selfish of him to love-bomb you during your heartbreak. You stand up and stretch.
“I’m going to head to bed. You can take the couch. You know where the extra blankets are.” You smile before walking off to empty the trash. You start humming “Hopelessly Devoted to You” as you walk to your bedroom. Satoru lies down, staring at the ceiling in some way; he could say he’s in the same boat.
“I am hopelessly devoted to you.” He whispers.
****
You stand outside your old penthouse. Rick awkwardly stands near the door, giving you a smile.
“Rick, if you lie to me again, there will be consequences.” You state. He nods. A man of few words. You liek Rick. You place your finger on the keypad, and it unlocks. You quickly check all rooms. Toji is nowhere in sight. You start throwing things into a suitcase. You’re hoping to sell most of it. You close the suitcase and stand up, wheeling it out of the walk-in closet. Toji stands in the bedroom door.
“Rick!” You shout. Toji approaches you, and you raise your hand.
“Bunny. I want to talk. Please.”
“Go home to your wife and children.” You try to walk around him, but he cuts you off with ease.
“Talk to me. How can I fix this?”
“You can’t fix this. I’m going to tutor your daughter-”
“Stepdaughter,” He corrects. You roll your eyes.
“I’m going to tutor her for Satoru’s sake.”
“He’s rich. I’m sure this job is nothing.” Toji rolls his eyes.
“It’s not about that. It’s tied to his grad school program. I won’t mess that up for him. Unlike you, I support people who want to further their education.” You snap. Toji nods.
“I never told you you couldn't go to grad school. I-”
“You gave me this life, Toji. You wrapped it in a big bow and made it seem perfect. You only supported me when it benefited you. I’m to blame too. I put everything on hold to be the perfect mistress for you. I’m the stupid one because I thought you would divorce her. We would ride off happily ever after. But you’re not. You have fucking children with her. Think about them!”
“I care about my son. I do. Anna is not his mother. Megumi has no motherly attachment to her. I told you what my relationship with her was.”
“And our relationship was similar. A transaction. Something we both benefit from.”
“No!” The boom in his voice startles you. You fix the purse on your shoulder. Toji approaches you and holds your hand.
“You mean so much more to me. How can I make this right? Please.” He pleads. You look away from his sad puppy eyes.
“Leave her.” You whisper, already knowing the answer.
“I can’t,” Toji replies. You nod your head and take your hands from him. You step around him to walk away, but he grabs your wrist.
“Anything but that.” He whispers.
“If you want me to stay, you need to make it worth my while.” You reply, looking at the door. Toji nods. You let go of your suitcase and face him.
“You stay here with me all week. You don't respond to her calls or texts.”
“Okay,” Toji whispers. He holds your face in his hands, looking down at you with sincerity. One week. You just want to spend one more week with him. You can let him go after that.
“Anything else, Bunny?” He asks.
“Kiss it better,” You whisper against his lips. Toji nods, pressing his lips against yours.
Anna sits in Toji’s home office. Everything has been torn apart. It’s been 3 days since Toji told her he was going away on a business trip. He’s not even trying to come up with good lies anymore. Anna kicked the desk, knocking the false bottom out from under it. She got down on all fours and pries the bottom open until a phone falls out.
“Jackpot.” She giggles. His secret phone. She takes her time trying to guess the passcode. Finally, she enters the year of his first wife’s birth. A smile spreads on her face as it unlocks. She sits in the chair, leaning back, scrolling through his messages with Bunny. Rage fills her veins as the messages grow increasingly x-rated. She closes the app and clicks his photo gallery. She opens the first video. Her mouth drops. Tsumiki's tutor sits on her knees as her husband cums on her face.
“Fuck Bunny.” Toji grunts. You lick your lips, eyes smiling up proudly. Anna exits the video and goes to the next one. Backshots in his Bentley. Next one, you sent a video of yourself playing with your cunt until you squirted onto the camera. Next one, Toji eating you out at the beach. Anna screams and slams the phone down. She stands up, pulling at her hair. Did you take her for a joke? Smiling in her face while fucking her husband. Anna sits down and plays the video again. Is that where Toji was? Business trip meaning between your legs? Anna smooths down her black bob, smiling. This is fine. She pulls out her own phone before taking a seat. The phone rings a few times before a deep voice answers.
“Anna. It’s 3:30 am. Did you hit someone with your car again?” The man laughs.
“Hiromi, that was one time. I’m calling to ask a hypothetical question.” She smiles, playing your video again.
“Alright,” Hiromi replies, ruffling his sheets.
“What is the penalty for revenge porn?” Anna asks, scrolling through your nudes.
“Jesus, what? Is it Tsumiki?” He asks.
“No. My daughter isn’t involved. It’s an adult. Two adults.”
“Anna-”
“You're the family lawyer, and I am calling for legal answers, not moral feelings.”
“Maybe a fine. You have enough money to buy your way out of anything.” Hiromi mumbles. Anna hangs up the phone and leaves the office with Toji’s phone in hand.
Toji pulls his arm from under your sleeping head as his phone rings. You mumble something before drifting back to sleep. Toji sits up and checks the caller ID. He opens both eyes, looking at the time. Why the hell was Hiromi calling at almost 4 am? He stands up and takes the call to the living room. You pull the sheet over your naked body, nestling further into dreamland.
“I hope you’re calling to tell me my father-in-law died,” Toji answers, pouring a glass of water.
“I wish. Anna just woke me up. She was asking about revenge porn.”
“Tsumiki?”
“Same thing I said, but she said no. Two adults. You should get your wife on a leash before damage control is needed again.”
“Thanks for the heads up,” Toji replies before hanging up. He rushes back into the room, quickly dressing. Toji bends down to your side of the bed.
“Bunny,I’ll be back before you wake up.” He whispers, kissing your cheek. Toji stands, leaving the room, grabbing his keys, and racing home. When he gets home, Anna is in the kitchen with a glass of wine sitting on the counter. Toji walks to his office and finds the destruction. He looks under and sees that the false bottom is broken. Toji puts his hands on his head. Your moans can be heard through the house. Toji rushes out and into the kitchen. Anna connected his phone to the speaker system. She smiles, slow dancing to Toji fucking you.
“Anna! The fucking children are sleeping! Have you lost your mind!” He shouts, reaching for her, but she pulls away.
“Don’t be a square! I didn’t know you were so filthy. And her innocent face. This is my favorite video. Omg, should we watch it in the cinema room?” She laughs, throwing her head back.
“Oh gosh. Right there! Toji! Fuck this pussy, daddy. Oh gosh. Please feels so-” Toji snatches the phone and ends the audio. Anna smiles, drinking the last bits of her wine. She wipes her mouth and walks in front of him.
“So, you’re going to stop seeing her starting today. She’s so young, I would hate to ruin her career before it could even start. Who would take such a little whore seriously when she’s spreading her legs for a happily married man? Toji, I don’t want to hurt her, but you know I will becasuse I love you and I only want what’s best for you. Let’s think with the head up here. Okay?” Anna smiles, patting him on the chest before walking upstairs. Toji puts the phone on the counter. Fuck.
You wake up to an empty apartment. No note. No text. Toji is gone. You stay there until night. Toji made his choice, and you have to move on. You sent a text to Anna saying you have to resign, and she only liked it. You open your door and stumble back, seeing Anna standing there. What do you say to the wife of the man you’ve been sleeping with?
“Were you expecting my husband...Bunny?” She smirks.
Toji has never wished that you were a more brash person. You're as sweet as can be towards him and anyone you interact with, and he loves it—loves how such a strong rule is rooted so deep in your character: treat people the way you would want to be treated.
What he doesn't love is when you don't get that same respect in return. When you get treated like you're some nasty clump of gum adhered to the sidewalk, just there being stepped on. He hates it. You wilt and you look so sad, and it's like a switch flips in your brain that makes you think everyone is going to talk to you that way, because you stop talking.
"You need to stop saying sorry for everything," Toji comments, watching as you try to distract yourself from getting emotional by putting things away that you would normally leave out in your living room. You don't want to look at him because you know sympathy enhances those emotions.
"Are you listening to me?" He asks, waiting for your eyes to meet his for at least a second. You hum affirmatively in response, a small nod of your head as you continue to wipe down the coffee table with a microfiber towel.
Toji's patience never wears thin when it comes to you, but sometimes words don't reach you fast enough, like now. So he rises from the couch and walks around the coffee table to stand next to you, still just watching you for a few seconds. When you refuse to look at him, he finds a way to make it happen.
He lifts your fingers enough to loosen your hold on the towel, confiscating the object that you were maneuvering around almost mindlessly. You blink up at him and he throws the cloth on the table, before looking back at you, as if he's daring you to ask him what his problem is.
He doesn't get that from you, unfortunately.
"Sorry," you mumble, running your hand over the warmth of your forearm.
"No, baby. What the hell is that? What are you even saying 'sorry' about?"
He's not mad. It doesn't work that way in a situation like this. It's hard to see you in this state, knocked around emotionally because you think nobody wants you around, including him.
"I wasn't paying attention to you, I-I was doing something else instead of just focusing on you."
"You're not a robot, doll. And i'm not some all mighty person that you need to straighten up for. I'm not scolding you, either. I just..." He is now very aware of much it looks like you're going to cry. Your eyes are glassy, your jaw keeps tightening and releasing, and you won't leave your nails alone. "I need you to get that not everything is your fault. People are assholes and they start shit over little things 'cause they're bored."
"I know," you respond, softly.
"Then why are you sad, right now?" He asks, concern seeping into his features. "This wasn't how you were a couple hours ago. Not until you had that run in with that guy."
"I didn't do anything to him," you barely manage to say. Your chest stutters as you attempt to hold back the stronger waves of sadness you feel. "I know people have bad days. I never judge anyone because I have bad days, too, but what is the point in raising your voice and making someone feel as bad as you do?"
That's one that Toji doesn't know how to answer, because while you are one hundred percent correct, he's not a mind reader.
"I don't know, baby, but, you didn't do anything wrong. Seems like it could have happened to anyone, and it was just a wrong place, wrong time type of thing."
You nod, like the explanation is enough. It should be, but you still feel a heaviness in your chest. Something that won't vanish because you still feel like maybe it was your fault.
"I'm over it," you mumble, bending down to pick the towel off the table.
Again, it's quickly taken out of your hand and tossed on the table. The look on Toji's face freezes you in place. You don't know what to do in this moment. He isn't saying anything, just looking at you as if he's analyzing you.
"You're not over it. You're still holding onto it, and you're gonna let it kill your mood for the rest of the day," he says, after a few more seconds.
"I'm over it, Toji."
"You're not," he pushes back, certain. "Otherwise you wouldn't be acting like this. You wouldn't be all bummed out or trying to hide from me in plain sight. You wouldn't be so quiet-- And listen, I know you're not the biggest fan of talking to people—I know that about you—but you talk to me."
Your heartbeat is in your ears, and your hands are getting that weird tingly sensation that happens when you're anxious or stressed.
"You can push everyone in the whole damn world away if you want. Friends, coworkers, everyone. Everyone but me." He shakes his head, emphasizing the fact. "You don't do that with me. You can't."
You blink, nodding in acknowledgment of his words. Not a single one of them flies over your head.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't... it wasn't my intention. I wasn't trying to do that."
A heavy sigh is released, because this is something Toji knows, too. You don't go quiet on purpose, you shy away because being vulnerable is one of the most intense things you feel, and it's a constant around him. Everything you feel is heightened whenever he's around, due to the constant fear of judgement hanging over your head.
"I know. I understand that, doll," he responds, taking your restless hands into both of his. "I just wanna listen to you—want you to talk my ear off, even if it's just to let me know that you don't want to talk."
His eyes dart to the gentle smile that begins to form on your lips and something in him settles. It means his words have fulfilled their purpose.
"You can tell me when you don't want to talk about something, you know? And I'll give you time to sit with it, but in the end, we have to talk. We have to. Or it'll turn into chaos, and we don't want that, sweetheart."
His eyes search yours for understanding, finding it in the glimmer that appears as you nod in agreement of what he just told you.
"Okay?" He asks, seeking confirmation.
"Okay."
"You're done cleaning," Toji tells you, leading you to the couch with him. "There was no mess to clean up to begin with," he grumbles, pulling you onto his lap.
"It felt messy," you respond, eyes pinned to the stitched design on his hoodie.
"You were in your head, baby. You put a coffee mug and the candles that are normally out here, in your room."
"Yeah, I needed to do something. Guess it doesn't make sense," you say, a sheepish laugh following.
"It does to me. I know what it was for you."
Of course he does. He knows you so well, that sometimes it makes you wonder if learning you is hard at all. If it is, Toji has always made it look incredibly simple.
You lean forward, wrapping your arms around him and resting your head on his shoulder. Holding him this way feels right. If you could do it all the time, you would, but you'll always be content with just getting to be around him.
"You'll be fine, doll. People can yell all they want, but no one's gonna lay a finger on you," Toji murmurs, dragging his fingers up and down your back. "They'll lose the whole hand, maybe more."
You giggle at that, the tremble of your body pulling a grin from Toji. "You like the sound of that?" He asks.
"A little," you admit, another giddy laugh escaping.
Toji hums, satisfied with the gradual return of your light. "Good, 'cause I wouldn't hesitate for a second."
Been watching the Olympics and now I’m thinking of Ice Skater!reader x Hockey Player!Toji and how they meet at the Olympic Village. They represent different countries but find themselves bonding over the food especially the chocolate lava cakes!
The bathroom was a masterpiece of cold, clinical luxury—the kind of space that belonged in a high-end interior design magazine, not a home. The walls were clad in slabs of charcoal-veined marble, and the walk-in shower featured a rainfall head the size of a dinner plate. It was fancy as hell, but the water just didn’t hit the same as the normal pressure from the old, rattling pipes in my apartment. Every fixture was brushed gold, gleaming under recessed LED lights that made the room feel as bright and sterile as an operating theater.
It was annoyingly beautiful. To me, it was just a monument to everything I hated about the Hoshigaki clan: wealth used as a weapon, and beauty used to mask a total lack of heart.
I scrubbed the night’s grime away, the hot water beating against my sore shoulders until my skin turned a raw pink. When I finally stepped out, steam clinging to the mirrors in thick ghosts, I walked into the walk-in closet expecting to find sterile, clan-issued robes. Instead, my heart did a painful, nauseating somersault.
Neatly hung and folded were my own clothes. My worn-out flannels, my favorite oversized hoodies, even the jeans with the frayed hems I’d been meaning to patch. They had raided my apartment.
A hot wave of violation surged through my chest, the Reservoir in my soul giving a sharp, jagged hum that made the lightbulbs overhead buzz. It wasn't just that they’d taken my things; it was the thought of some faceless clan lackey rifling through my laundry, touching the life I’d spent five years building. Was my apartment a hollow shell now? Had they just tossed my plants? Was my favorite mug—the chipped one I used every morning—broken in a box somewhere?
I grabbed a worn t-shirt and some pajama pants, the fabric smelling faintly of my old life, and crawled into the king-sized bed. The sheets were silk—too smooth, too cold—but Stink didn't seem to mind. He hopped onto the duvet, kneading the expensive fabric with his claws before curling into a purring ball against my side.
“Just us against the world again, Stink,” I whispered into the dark. I didn't fall asleep so much as I finally succumbed to sheer exhaustion.
The morning sun didn't gently wake me; it pierced through the gaps in the motorized blinds like a laser. A groan slipped through my lips as I flopped over on my stomach, burying my face in a pillow to block out the light. I only managed to drag my sorry ass out of bed when Stink started clawing at my back and yelling in my ear, letting me know it was time to stop being lazy and feed the little monster.
I went through the motions of my routine with the mechanical precision of a ghost. I brushed my teeth and threw my hair into a claw clip—one that had been organized neatly in the fully stocked vanity in the corner of the room. I ignored my reflection; I looked pale, tired, and my eyes held too many questions I wasn't ready to answer.
I headed out with a mission: fuel. Stink followed at my heels, his tail twitching in anticipation as we headed down the stairs and into the vast, echoing kitchen. The house was deathly quiet, the kind of silence that made every floorboard creak sound like a gunshot. I began opening the minimalist, handle-less cabinets, searching for anything resembling breakfast. I found a pantry stocked with high-end proteins, organic grains, and enough espresso pods to power a small city. Daichi clearly intended for us to be well-fed prisoners, but the old man must have forgotten my hatred for coffee and my addiction to carbonated beverages. There wasn’t a single soda in sight. Or maybe he did it on purpose. Bastard.
I was reaching into a low cabinet for a bowl when a shadow fell across the white marble floor. I straightened up too fast, nearly banging my head, and found myself staring at a wall of black cotton. I didn't need to look up to know who it was. The "nothingness" of his presence was more recognizable than a face—a cold, silent void in the air that made my internal compass spin.
Toji was leaning against the kitchen island, already holding a mug of coffee. I guess that partially explained the excessive stockpile of espresso. He looked far too awake for a man who had looked like death warmed over eight hours ago. He was wearing a fresh black shirt that did nothing to hide the sheer scale of him, and his damp hair suggested he’d already had his own run-in with the luxury showers.
“Pantry’s to the left,” he said, his voice a low morning rasp that felt like sandpaper. “Cat food is in the bottom drawer by the fridge. Your dad didn’t even skimp on the expensive stuff for the hairball.”
I clutched a box of cereal to my chest like a shield. “Good morning to you, too, ghost.”
He didn't smile, but the corner of his scarred lip gave a tiny, microscopic twitch. He pushed off the island, looming over me in the small space between the counter and the fridge. “Eat up, princess. We have a long day, and you look like you’re one stiff breeze away from fainting.”
I watched Stink investigate the new electronic water fountain, his ears twitching at the gentle hum of the motor with a small smile gracing my lips. I’d spent the last twenty minutes obsessing over his setup—placing his favorite feather toys by the window and ensuring his litter box was tucked away in the laundry room. I may be a prisoner here but I would be damned if I didn’t make Stink as comfortable as possible. Besides, It was the only thing I could control in this marble tomb.
Satisfied he was settled, I turned back to the gargoyle at the island.
“The perimeter is locked,” Toji said, not even looking up as he set his empty mug down. The sound echoed against the high ceilings. “You stay here. You don’t cross the threshold, you don’t open the windows past the security latches, and you don’t leave. Not until the bounty on your head is either paid or the people holding the purse strings end up in a ditch.”
What the fuck did he just say?
“I’m sorry, but that won't work. I have a shift today,” I snapped, my hands curling into fists. The thought of John sitting at that bar waiting for me, or Hunter wondering why I never showed up, made my chest ache. “I made a promise to someone that I would be at Amber’s tonight and I won’t break it. I have people who rely on me.”
I hadn't realized how strict Daichi was going to be, but I refused to let him turn me into a ghost in the life I’d built for myself.
Toji let out a short, dry laugh—the kind with zero humor. “You’re not going anywhere. You walk out that gate, and you’re a walking target for every curse-user with a debt to pay. I’m not chasing you across the city because you’ve got a work ethic.”
“But isn’t that why you’re here? To make sure I'm safe? Can’t you just sit in the corner of the bar while I work?” I asked incredulously. What was the point of a bodyguard if I stayed locked in a box?
He merely shook his head, the wet strands of hair stuck to his forehead. “I don’t get paid to ask questions, princess. I get the orders, I follow through, and I make my money.”
Of course. He was just another leech feeding on my father's blood money. He didn't give a shit about what I wanted.
“I won’t be stuck here! I can’t just stay here forever while the world keeps on spinning without me. I have responsibilities, a life.” I stepped toward him, my voice rising. “I don’t care about the money my father offered you, or the bounty on my head. I care about the life I spent years building for myself. And compared to being monitored day in and day out by my father like some fucking lab rat, taking my chances by going about this on my own seems much more appealing.”
“There are no cameras inside,” he interrupted, finally meeting my gaze. His eyes were cold, indifferent to my temper. “The old man is a prick, but I guess even he has limits. There are sensors on the porch and the backyard fence. We have ten acres of land back there—it’s fenced in and private. You want air? Go outside. But stay within the silver line.”
I paused, the wind taken out of my sails by the lack of indoor cameras. I looked around the sterile room, then back at him curiously. “How do you know so much about the security? You just got here last night.”
He didn't answer immediately. He reached into his pocket, leaning back with a privacy that was almost physical, seemingly content to end our conversation.
“Hello? I’m talking to you,” I pestered, crossing the kitchen to invade his space. “How long have you been lurking in this house?”
He sighed, the sound of a man losing his patience with a stray dog. “Two weeks,” he said stoically, looking me in the eye from his seat at the island. “Your father spent fourteen days making sure the retina scans and the localized barriers were perfect. He wanted everything ready for his princess to move in. And yet here you are still complaining about being forced to live a sheltered and high-class life in a house on the level of a 5-star hotel.”
The word princess dripped from his tongue like venom. He swept a hand toward the expensive marble. “I didn’t realize I was signing up to babysit a girl who can’t handle a little luxury. Most people would kill for a setup like this, but I guess when you grow up with a silver spoon, the gold ones just don't shine as bright, right?”
A hot, stinging pressure built behind my eyes. I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell him about the bruises I used to hide under my training gear, the blood I’d scrubbed off these very floors, the life that was being pushed on me that caused me to leave 5 years ago, and the fact that I’d been working for tips and sleeping on a futon for five years to get away from this "luxury."
But I looked at his scarred lip and his empty, ocean-dark eyes, and the words died in my throat. I wouldn’t give him that. I wouldn't be vulnerable to a man who was nothing but a void. If he wanted to believe I was a pampered brat who didn't know the value of a dollar, let him. It was safer if he hated a version of me that didn't exist.
“Think whatever you want,” I said, my voice dropping to a cold, steady level. “But I’m not staying in this house all day with you.”
I turned on my heel, grabbing a bag of cat treats from the counter. “I’ll be in my room. Try not to choke on your own ego while I’m gone.”
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