Flight V: Baggage Claim

This was not how Izumi envisioned the life of a famous author. He expected fine food and elegant surroundings, not rubber hors-d'oeuvres and fake plants.

Half hidden behind a plastic palm tree, he scowled at his plate of unappetizing finger foods. What he wouldn't give for a real meal.

Casting a glance around, he casually leaned over and set his plate in the planter.

"If this tree wasn't fake, that'd kill it."

"Mika-san!" Izumi straightened, face tinting red.  So much for his determination not to react to any more of her teasing. Takamiya's agent seemed to delight in making Izumi blush.

"Marvelous things, trash cans," the petite, sixty-ish woman observed. She wore her strict schoolteacher expression while she waited for Izumi to reclaim his plate and dispose of it properly.

Izumi obeyed, trying not to scowl as he returned to his corner where she waited giving him a mild smile.  "Can we leave soon?" He tried not to make it sound like pleading. He'd joined Takamiya's press tour just a few days ago but it felt like he'd been trailing along to interviews, signings and parties for months.

"Soon," she assured him, her manner softening as she looked over at Takamiya. Izumi suppressed a sigh - yet another woman who wanted to mother the happy idiot.  Still... even from here it was obvious that the usually cheerful, energetic man was exhausted.

"Takamiya told me you're leaving tomorrow for his country house." Mika gave Izumi a warning look. "Don't make him do all the work, Izumi-chan. He's had a busy schedule and it'll be just as hectic when you return next week."

"I'll take care of him," Izumi promised with more certainty than he felt about anything else these days. He looked back at his lover, unable to keep the fond smile off his face.

Mika sighed dramatically. "Get started, then. Rescue him before he falls over." The woman patted Izumi's arm and gave him a conspiritorial grin. "I'll handle this lot. Go."

Izumi didn't have to be told twice. He bowed his thanks and hurried over to Takamiya who was penned in a corner by three very persistent middle-aged women, all of them standing a bit too close.

"Excuse me." Izumi wormed his way to Takamiya's side.  "Very sorry to disturb you," Izumi spoke slowly, still shy about his English pronunciation. "Takamiya-san is needed urgently." Izumi stood as a barrier against hugs - or worse - while Takamiya made his apologies.

Remaining at Takamiya's side, perhaps a little closer than decorum would dictate, Izumi guided them out of the room, fending off persistent - and grabby - fans and press people along the way.

"Are you kidnapping me?" Takamiya sounded amused but exhausted.

"Mika-san's taking care of the party. She told me to make sure you got some rest."

"Oh," Takamiya sounded disappointed. "So I guess you're not whisking me away for a night of frantic sex."

"You'll be out before you hit the pillow. We'll save the marathon for when you can enjoy it." Izumi gave him a mock scowl. "Didn't you get enough attention at the party? I saw that blond pinch you.  You could have had anyone in the room if you'd wanted."

Takamiya slid an arm around Izumi's shoulders and pulled the younger man close. "And I will have you.  When we both can enjoy it." He breathed in Izumi's ear but the effect was ruined when he yawned. "Sorry."

Izumi bumped his hip lightly against his lover before stepping a little apart. Actions were so much easier than words, and right now anything he said would make him feel like an idiot.

"At least this little soiree was in the same hotel." Takamiya suppressed another yawn and pressed the elevator call button. Mercifully, the elevator was empty. The pair leaned against the back wall, bodies almost touching as they ascended to the top floor. It was an older but elegant hotel and the elevator ride was smooth.

"Come on, bed time." Izumi urged a fading Takamiya out of the elevator. A short walk and he keyed open the door to their suite.

"Don't sit," Izumi commanded as he propelled Takamiya into the bedroom and started quickly undressing him.  "Done. Go brush your teeth and don't fall asleep in the bathroom."

Takamiya shuffled off to obey and Izumi hurried to turn down the bedding and get himself undressed.  He greeted Takamiya on his return and ushered him into bed. A quick kiss and Izumi hurried off to finish his bedtime preparations.

"You're turning into a huge sap," Izumi told his reflection as he washed his face. "Fussing like an old woman. If Aoe ever heard, he'd die laughing - or I'd have to kill him 'cause he'd never let me live it down." One last frown at himself in the mirror and he turned out the light.

As he expected, Takamiya was already asleep. Izumi couldn't keep the tender smile off his face so he climbed into bed and leaned over to give his lover a kiss.

Settling in, he laid his head on Takamiya's chest.  "Definitely a sap."

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