contains: overworked! nanami, no nonsense! reader, fem/afab! reader, forced proximity, wee bit of angst, mostly fluff, no smut <3
minors do not interact, 18+
reposted from my main @mast3rbait3r
if someone would have told you a couple years ago that this is how you'd run into your ex-boyfriend, you would have just told them to fuck off and leave you alone. but now that you're here, stepping into the office building that looked all too familiar. you feel your stomach drop when you see the familiar blonde hair peeking over the cubicles. surely he had no idea that you were here, otherwise they would've never invited you. you hear someone calling your name, so you look over and see your new partner for this project.
"glad you could make it!"
they smile at you, and you offer a polite nod and greeting as well. you weren't really sure how the hell you got roped into completing a project with someone from a completely different company, but you were offered a generous bonus, so you accepted. you ducked your head as much as you could without wanting to seem awkward. you follow them to the conference room that, much to your dismay, was covered with nothing but windows. you let out an inaudible sign and take a seat across from your new partner.
you two get to work, finding a rhythm rather easily. this meant good things for you because now the day could go by faster. the days went by faster, the less time you had to spend in that office, and then you'd never have to see him again. at least, that's what you were hoping would happen. but, as always, things did not seem to work out in your favor. you walk into the elevator, ready for your lunch break. the elevator was pretty crowded, as to be expected. you were thankfully tucked away in a back corner, minding your own business like everyone else.
that's when you saw him, that same devastatingly handsome face with just a little less life in it than what you were used to seeing. he didn't notice you, since you were pretty well blocked by everyone else. you were grateful for it, as you watched him the entire time. he stood just like everyone else, not moving his head to look around at all. then, everyone files out in an orderly fashion, all heading to their respective cars. you walk to yours as well, but pause when you see a familiar vehicle parked only a couple spots from yours.
you thought you'd have enough time to duck behind a car, but it was too late. nanami turns in your direction, unassuming, as he's about to get into his car. you can see the instant he freezes in recognition and you feel like disappearing through the pavement right there. when your eyes meet, all the memories come flooding back.
the way you were sitting on the couch, waiting for him to come home. he was three hours late getting home, something that had become the new normal. your heart was racing while your stomach was sinking simultaneously. the apartment was eerily quiet, suddenly feeling cold and devoid of life. when he entered through the front door, he already knew what was coming. he spots you on the couch, muttering a quiet 'hello' before walking toward his office. you follow him, not wanting to put this off any longer.
"we need to talk, kento."
you speak calmly, almost too calmly. he sets down his bag, turning around to face you.
"can it wait? i have more work to do-"
"no, it can't wait. not anymore..."
he falters at your sudden harsh tone, eyes landing on the floor as he braces for impact.
"you're neglecting me. you come home late, and when you do get home, you always come right back here."
he lets out a heavy sigh at your words, running a hand over his face.
"i told you that work's been busy. i can't help if you take that personally, sweetheart."
"i'm not your fucking sweetheart."
you snap at him, having reached your limit of bullshit. you let out a deep sigh, knowing he didn't deserve to see you losing your cool.
"i've tried to talk to you about this several times, but all you do is brush me off. i'm tired of waiting around for you. i'm tired of whatever this has even become between us."
"you mean our relationship?"
he scoffs, already having enough of this interaction.
"oh- is that what you want to call it now? because if it were a relationship, you'd at least act like you give a shit."
that statement hit right where it needed to within nanami. gone was the unbothered, nonchalant side of him that he'd been showing lately, now he was upset too.
"don't you think you're taking this a bit far?"
his tone is more frustrated now, taking a step closer to you.
"no, i don't, actually. i think you're lucky enough that i let it go on this long before i said anything."
he was growing more and more exhausted by the second. he takes off his glasses, leaving them on his desk. he can't even be bothered to look up at you when his next words come out.
"i guess you should stop letting it go on, then."
you felt your breath hitch at his cold words, unsure of what possessed him to become such a dick. you nod slowly, your lips pressing into a thin line as you retreat back towards the doorway of his office.
"so that's all you have to say to me?"
you raise an eyebrow, schooling your expression to mask the hurt you were feeling throughout every inch of your body.
"what else do you want me to say?"
he sighs heavily, loosening the tie around his neck. you scoff at him, turning around and walking out towards his bedroom to get your clothes and whatever else had accumulated in his apartment over the course of your relationship. he watches you leave, not bothering to stop you. he knew he'd fucked up too badly to fix anything in that moment, you needed to get away and put some space between the two of you.
so, he stayed in his office, going back to work as he heard the occasional footsteps throughout his apartment. once he heard the front door shut, not even slam, the guilt hit him like a freight train. he wasn't even sure how things took a turn so badly, but what he did know was that he was going to regret not being there for you likely for the rest of his life.
you turn the other cheek, bravely walking past and heading toward your own car. you feel his eyes on you the entire time, even as you drive away to find a secluded spot to eat your lunch. meanwhile, nanami sits still as a statue in his driver's seat. he wasn't sure if he just hallucinated that short encounter just now. was that really you? you still had that same effect on him that you always did, rendering him speechless at just the sight of you. you looked... horrified... when you saw him, the memory now making his skin crawl. but why, how, what were you doing here? then, it finally clicks.
he'd heard talk around the office of someone coming from another company to work on a project. he knew it was the same company you worked at, but he never thought it would be you that would end up being the alleged partner. he finds himself short of breath, hands gripping the steering wheel despite his car not even being started. he took one final deep breath before starting his car and heading toward wherever he wanted to go for lunch. he knew that he wouldn't be able to focus the rest of the day, much less the rest of however long you'd be visiting his company's office. for perhaps the first time in his career, nanami was concerned about how his work ethic would suffer.
once he returns to the office, he sees that your previous parking space was still empty. surely you were still around, right? you didn't just abandon your project because of him? he shook his head, slinging his bag over his shoulder, glancing down at the little brown bear keychain you'd gotten for him. it matched a pink one that you carried around on your purse. it looked back at him, almost mockingly. he couldn't bring himself to take it off, not when you were the only good memory for him to hold onto anymore. not that he needed to know, but you still kept yours on your purse. the coast was clear as he headed back up the few floors on the elevator.
it wasn't until he was rounding the corner of his cubicle that he felt someone run straight into his chest. his arms shoot out to catch the shoulders of whoever it was that just ran into him. he blinks, catching his breath and then looks down. he sees you before him, wide-eyed and flustered, clearly already having recognized him.
the question comes out softer than he meant for it to, but he couldn't help it with you. it was like a gut instinct to be gentle with you. he feels his chest constrict when all you do is give him a short nod before walking around him and back toward the conference room. he turns, watching you walk away. he lets out a deep sigh, walking back to his desk and taking a seat. you make your way into the conference room, pretending not to be shaken by your run-in with nanami. if your partner noticed anything off, they didn't mention it. you survive the rest of the day, heading for the elevator.
you make it on just in time, one of the very last people to fit. the doors were about to close when a long arm manages to hold them open. much to your dismay, your ex-boyfriend is forced to step in and stand right next to you. you both did your best to keep your bodies away from each other, but there was only so much room to give. you feel like you're suffocating at this point, despite the elevator ride being a maximum of 30 seconds long. when the doors open, you make a run for it (not literally). you walk as fast as you can without tripping, toward your car. you walk to where your car... was supposed to be?
you mutter under your breath, looking around everywhere for it. that's when you notice the bright white sign behind where your car used to be parked. do not park maintenance vehicles only. okay, so your day probably could not have gotten any worse. it what you would say if you weren't hearing your name being called out by an all-too-familiar voice. you roll your eyes, feeling the embarrassment through every inch of your body. you can feel the tears stinging your eyes, refusing to face nanami as you hear his footsteps approach.
"happens a lot, management will do anything to rip off employees."
he spoke calmly, standing by your side but not drawing any attention to the obvious tears flowing down your face.
"that's- really fucked up."
you sniffle, wiping at your eyes. you look over, but not in his eyes. you notice his bag hanging between the two of you, gaze landing on the little bear keychain that you'd gotten for him. the tears begin to flow harder, so you turn away from him, trying your best to focus on your breathing. you feel a hand on your shoulder, and if you were any stronger in this moment, you would have pushed him away.
"can i take you home while you call the towing company?"
he asks, hand sliding down your arm against his better judgement. you nod slowly, following him to his car.
"way to show my ex what he's missing, right?"
even he can't supress the bubble of laughter that escapes his throat. you always knew how to ease the tension in situations like these, even if you were a bit odd about it.
"he's an idiot for losing you."
you pause, noting the lack of playfulness in his tone.
"are we really doing this right now?"
you raise an eyebrow at him, turning to face him so he stops walking. he just shakes his head, a small smile appearing on his face before he continues on. you reluctantly follow him, suddenly wishing you'd gotten towed with your car. so, he drives you home and doesn't even ask for directions because of course he remembers where your place is. he purposely took a route to work every day that drove him right past it. he'd never been inside, but maybe things would be different soon. what the hell was he thinking right now? he was sure you wouldn't take him back in a million years after the way he treated you. so when he parks in your driveway, he can only spare you a short glance.
he sees you reach for your purse, and that's when he notices it. the small pink bear on your purse that matched the brown bear on his bag. you really had kept it all this time. the thought made his chest constrict in that familiar way it always did with you. he decides to take that as the sign it was, reaching for your hand.
"forgive me if this is too much, but i want you to know that there hasn't been a single day since we parted ways that i haven't thought about you. that i haven't regretted every last second of the way i acted both before and after that last argument. i let my work consume me, and you suffered all the consequences. i'm sorry that i was never brave enough to admit it before, but i am now. you didn't deserve any of it."
you look at him, unable to fully comprehend many of the words he said because you were distracted by the fact that he looked so emotional and vulnerable when he spoke. you let out a soft sigh, intertwining your fingers with his.
"if i didn't know any better, i'd think you had my car towed on purpose to get me to listen to you."
you smirk at him, rubbing your thumb over the skin of his hand. he shakes his head furiously.
"no, i promise you i had nothing to do with-"
"relax, kento... i'm just giving you shit."
you chuckle at him, leaning in to loosen the tie around his neck.
"wanna come in and see my new place?"
he doesn't need to be asked twice, already shutting off the car and making his way inside with you. once he's inside, he takes a look around at your home. it was just like you, full of life and colorful in all the ways that mattered. he found himself already getting whisked away into a daydream, making a life in this house with you. watching you continue to bloom into the beautiful woman that you were, achieving all your dreams and coming home to tell him about it every night. he spots you, looking out the kitchen window, and the scene takes his breath away.
he walks over to you, bravely wrapping his arms around your middle from behind. he rests his chin on your shoulder, holding you close to him. when you don't pull away or even bat an eye, he turns you just enough to plant a soft kiss on your lips. you return the kiss, turning around fully to wrap your arms around his neck. he gets lost in your mouth, tongues tangling, fitting perfectly with each other. when you pull away, his eyes are already half-lidded with want. you cup his face in your hands, letting out a deep sigh.
"you know this isn't all it will take, don't you?"
he nods immediately, leaning into your touch.
"i know that, sweetheart. but, if you'll have me, i'll do everything it takes and more to earn your love again."
a/n: sorry if this was kinda booty, was not feeling super inspired but i wanted to try it out anyway. i love me some loverboy nanami tho >:3