Work Text:
It was unusual for Tadashi to not be waiting for him outside the Diet chambers. Unusual, but not impossible: sometimes his assistant had other errands to run. Or perhaps he was just in the lavatory. So Ainosuke headed back to his office first, checking his phone to make sure he hadn't missed any messages. And when he pushed open the door, he found the man he was looking for.
Tadashi was seated on the couch, his head resting on the back. Quietly, Ainosuke closed the door and approached Tadashi, taking in the closed eyes and soft, even breathing. His eyebrows rose in surprise: he couldn't remember a time that he'd ever seen the other man asleep. And now that he thought about it... when did Tadashi sleep?
Whenever Ainosuke needed him, Tadashi was always there, no matter the hour. Even when they stayed out until 1 or 2 AM for "S," Tadashi still unfailingly woke him up at 6 AM.
Ainosuke carefully sat down on the couch, freezing when it sank beneath him, but Tadashi didn't stir. Now that he was closer to his assistant, he could see faint shadows smudged under his eyes. And he frowned: there was a smoothness to Tadashi's skin that spoke to the use of makeup. It had been expertly applied, but since he was looking, Ainosuke also noticed a hint of blush.
How had he never noticed this before?
But then again, his assistant had always completed the tasks Ainosuke assigned to him perfectly. He'd never shown any signs of exhaustion beneath that placid expression. Never made any misses that required Ainosuke to correct him. Never displayed anything beyond impeccable attention and control. But now that Ainosuke thought about it... he'd always demanded a great deal from the other man. Besides the tasks of a secretary, Tadashi was also the point of contact for "S," in charge of keeping it running. Sure, he had the other capmen to help him, but the vast majority of the planning and coordination was Tadashi's own work.
Had he been driving like this?
With small, careful movements, Ainosuke tugged off his suit jacket before draping it over Tadashi. Tadashi stirred and then seemed to bolt awake, jolting upright and staring at his employer with startled emerald eyes.
"Ainosuke-sama! My deepest apologies! I didn't—"
"Shush." Ainosuke pressed a finger to the other man's lips, smiling when Tadashi obeyed. His other hand covered Tadashi's eyes, gently but insistently pushing his head back down. He felt a slight pressure as the other man reluctantly acquiesced to his tacit command, so he didn't move his hand away as he continued to speak.
"Go ahead and rest. You've already given me my schedule for today, and there isn't anything that I absolutely need you for. I'll order some takeout for lunch for us, and then I'll wake you up before we head home. I just want you to sleep."
"But—"
"Sleep. That's an order."
Tadashi's resistance was tangible in the tension in his body, but it faded when the older man sighed.
"I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for," Ainosuke reassured him earnestly, feeling the tickle of eyelashes against his palm as Tadashi closed his eyes again. He waited a moment longer before removing his hand. Tadashi's eyes remained closed, and Ainosuke got up to draw the curtains and dim the lights before picking up his laptop and returning to the couch.
As he worked, he listened to Tadashi's breathing slow and even out again. And he smiled slightly as he shifted closer to the other man, leaning against him as he continued to type. How many years had Tadashi been taking care of him, now?
It was only right for him to return the favor once in a while.