Little Surprises
Sir. Nighteye x (f) reader: Winter has been long and unforgiving, but warmer days have finally arrived! You and Nighteye go to a spring Sakura festival. ((yeah yeah I know, Sakura festivals are a super campy overdone trope but in my defense I live in Canada and am just so TIRED of snow and spring in Japan typically means Sakura so…I do apologize.
(--) = insert name
_______________________ Soft pink blossoms littered the ground, covering the city parks in a blanket of petals. (--) however, was up to her ears in paperwork in a stuffy old office away from the warmth and sunshine. Her limbs felt heavy, and her head pounded from exhaustion. She rubbed her eyes, unable to remember the last time she had a decent night’s rest. Every day was beginning to feel the same, predictable. She tapped her pen on the table, everything just felt grey. “This is so dull…” She muttered, getting up to stretch her legs a little. Maybe some tea would help her recentre her focus. (--) closed the door to her office and made her way to the coffee room. There was thankfully a selection of teas to choose from, getting what was likely his tenth cup that day was Sir. Nighteye. He was discussing something with his secretary. He was writing notes quickly as Nighteye spoke without even looking up from his own binder.
“It may upset you that we are out of oolong.” He mused, giving (--) a small sideways glance. “Here, this ginseng will be better for energizing.” He offered the box. She smiled, taking the box with a thank you. Nothing ever slipped his notice, no surprises. (--) found herself able to relate somewhat.
“Thank you, I’m sure that I will enjoy it.” She gave him a wink as the kettle bubbled to life. His secretary gave Nighteye a polite bow before dashing back to his desk. “The Sakura trees started blooming, it was a beautiful walk on my way into the office this morning.” He took a slow sip of coffee.
“Yes…there’s a small spring carnival downtown this evening isn’t there?” He asked. “I…happen to have the night off, if you weren’t busy perhaps you would like to join me?” His tone was surprising, it was hesitant. (--) smiled, pouring her tea.
“I’m off at five…would you like to walk together if you don’t mind going in a suit?” She teased, making him audibly chuckle. “I think I would feel more comfortable in something less formal; I’ll meet you there.” He offered. -- The air still had a slight chill as she pulled her cardigan around herself. The warm lights strung around the trees were welcoming as she leaned on the bridge railing. There were young girls in beautiful yukata gowns, laughing as they walked together with groups of friends. There seemed to be an air of romance, awkward teen couples holding hands with bright red cheeks. Elderly couples sitting on park benches, children laughing with sparklers and colourful dango in hand. She turned to look at the sunset, lost in thought. “It’s a lovely evening.” His voice made her jump before she smirked.
“You make a habit of sneaking up on your dates?” She asked, leaning forward ever so slightly. He turned aside, a little surprised himself at how close she was. “No, I was simply not wanting to interrupt you…you seemed to be thinking rather deeply.” She shrugged, turning back to the sunset. “So, what would you like to do first?” He leaned beside her on the railing, and this time he was closer than she anticipated. His aftershave was a subtle, alluring scent. Unusual, he never wore anything scented in the office. (--) felt a flutter of excitement and for the first time in a long time she felt like she wasn’t on auto pilot, going through the motions. With a grin she took his hand, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. That was something he hadn’t felt in awhile either, surprise.
“Honestly if it’s all the same to you Sasaki, I want to do everything!” There was a laughter in her voice, a warmth to her face that seemed to shatter the glass that had left everything so muffled. Nighteye couldn’t help but smile, following her hand in hand into the lights and music. Sweet flavours of fried foods, she treated him to some refreshing homemade cold brew tea, not to mention the gentle smell of sakura blossoms that filled the air…it was indeed a magical night. As the moon began to peek over the horizon the two made their way over to some of the events. There were colourful stands with adorable stuffed animals, candies, lotions, all sorts of prizes to win and he did notice that an adorable pink cat seemed to catch (--)’s eye.
Sasaki stared at the stand. It was a game, simple in concept really. Toss a one hundred yen coin into a little cup and try to get it into the golden lucky cat cup for the better prizes. He approached the stand with a one yen coin in hand. The carnie smiled, waving his hand to Nighteye.
“Ah, another challenger? Toss your coin and test your luck!” Nighteye quickly scanned his eyes over the cups. Luck? That had to be a joke, luck had mothering to do with it, this was very obviously rigged. The cups were set into a flat plane of wood, it was impressive how well it was hidden but even without his quirk he noticed that certain cups…three to be exact. They were set a little lower, and the rims were smaller ever so slightly. With a flash of his eye, he tossed the coin. Then missed entirely. He listened to the coin hit the wood, how it sat there mocking him. He narrowed his eyes, the frustration bubbling up. Sasaki presented more yen coins, tossing over and over, a crowd had formed, some were even filming the fiasco as he tossed coin after coin.
“Isn’t that sir Nighteye!?” Some muttered, “he’s so intense…” (--) watched with a surprised yet concerned expression. He was lifting had to have been almost the fiftieth coin, almost five thousand yen in total…when he took a deep breath and tossed. It sailed, it landed…finally sliding into the cup with a satisfying clunk. Nighteye had to use every ounce of restraint, but in his head he stood victoriously, pumping his fist to the air, finally. He had finally tossed it in…then he was presented with a pack of chewing gum and much laughter. He thanked the carnie and stared at the gum in utter bewilderment.
(--) took his arm, laughing softly. “What was that all about?” She asked. He was still staring at the gum, looking just confused. “That cup looked…like it had a smaller rim, so I thought if I got in that cup it would win you the…cat stuffed animal you were looking at it, but then I sort of just…” He cleared his throat, putting the gum in his pocket as his face turned pink. “Forgive me I have a one track mind.” (--) leaned closer, smiling gently.
“Well…you didn’t really have to do that but thank you.” She smiled softly, her hand slipping into his as they walked under strung lights. “It was very sweet of you.” She added, leaning over to place a small kiss on his cheek. Sasaki squeezed her hand a little tighter, his face still stoic as he turned away ever so slightly.
“It wasn’t much of anything...but thank you all the same.” He chuckled, taking a moment to compose himself. Honestly he wanted to know all the ways she could steal his breath. Sasaki turned back to face her with a warm smile. “I really needed this…thank you, I don’t suppose you would like to do something like this again?” He asked. (--) laughed, moving closer once more. She thought for a moment, taking in the sights as they stepped away to the tree line.
“Promise that my answer will be a surprise?” She teased. He returned her laughter, rubbing small circles across her knuckles. “I promise.” He whispered, as they leaned against a tree. His hands for the first time felt so unsure as he wrapped his arms around her waist. (--) raised a brow, following in suit as a chilly breeze bit at her exposed legs. “You’re not cold?” He asked, his gaze trailing along her face. She shook her head, smirking.
“No…not at all, now as for your request.” She mused, feigning a ponderous look before breaking into giggles. “Oh how could I ever refuse.” She leaned into him, resting her face into his chest as she inhaled deeply. “I would love to.” She added. He raised his hands gently as she leaned her head back.
“I’m looking forward to it…” His lips hovered over hers, she kind of liked this side of him. Gentle, and slow. Day after day she would see him hard at work, his every movement exact and calculated. It was mesmerizing, and so different from this.
“It’s okay.” She whispered as she reached a hand to his face. The rest of the world seemed silent as they kissed below the tree, the lanterns and lights going off one by one as droves of people watched the fireworks streak across the sky. Ah yes, yet another pleasant surprise.