Rory gulped past the hard lump in his throat as he watched Rin storm angrily from the room. He jumped with a start as the door slammed, causing the paintings on the walls to rattle. It was a good thing he was so used to Mike's violent outbursts, or there would be no way he could ever remain this calm around Rin's many mood swings. He shook his head, his eyes moving from the door to the tablet. He scrolled through the tabs and was impressed with the organization. The first few pages were the outline of the story. Unlike the current release, this one would be more modern. A smile curved his lips as he continued to read. The main male lead of this story was a mischievous fox god. He could see Rin playing that character perfectly.
Again, he found himself lost in the world building Rin seemed to excel at and even fell in love with the characters... but again found that they seemed to fall short.
He was rubbing his tired eyes when a light knock sounded on his door.
Dillon pushed it open. "As late as it's gotten, I figured you weren't coming out for dinner, so I brought it to you instead." He walked the tray over and set it on the desk across from the bed before making his way over to Rory. He sat on the edge. "Rin really isn't all bad... Rin just gets defensive of his work..." His eyes moved over to the tablet now resting in Rory's lap. "Rin said you're working on the new story. What do you think of it?"
Rory sent Dillon a timid smile. "I like it... better than the current one. It's more playful, at least. Though it seems to have the same problems..." His brows furrowed. "Can I ask... has Rin ever been in a relationship?" His eyes shot up to Dillon. "I mean no offense... outside of whatever it is you guys have..."
Dillon held up a hand to wave away Rory's discomfort. "No... It's ok... You're not wrong. He's not, actually. We've been together since Rin was fairly young... and then it built into... this... Would I call any part of what we have a real relationship... no. And as long as I've known Rin, it's always been the same."
Rory nodded. "I think that's the problem with his writing. He only writes what he knows, and he only knows how to..."
"Fuck?" Dillon supplied. "Again, you're not wrong." Dillon's eyes trailed over him. "Do you think you're the person to change that?"
Rory's eyes bugged. Too shocked to speak, he could only watch as Dillon nodded and stood. "Yeah, think about that going forward."
"Wait! What do you mean?! I told you, I'm not here to try..." Rory's words fell away as Dillon's turbulent expression met his.
"I told you, didn't I? Make yourself valuable. Something that can't easily be replaced. Something that adds value to Rin and Rodric Perish..." He shrugged, the dark storm clouds revolving around in his eyes, turning their usual bright emerald green to a deeper Kelly instead.
Rory frowned but didn't reply. He tugged the tablet against his chest, gripping it tightly as if his very life depended on it. He could feel tears burning his eyes as he watched Dillon battle with himself a minute longer before finally dropping his head. "Well... You'll do what you want regardless... Good night, then..." With that, Dillon turned and left the room almost as quietly as he'd entered.
***
Rory found himself so absorbed in the world Rin had created with the new story that even his nightmares had been replaced by images of Inari, the shape-shifting fox god, and Mao, the nerdy college student. They were the most unlikely pair, but you couldn't help but like them both. Inari had a playful, flirty personality, while Mao was the complete opposite. Mao was a quiet, bookish shut-in with very few friends and a dreary personality. Rory blew out a sigh as he ran his hand through his messy blonde hair. The story was almost perfect... except for one key element... Romance...
Inari basically forced himself onto Mao, and Mao eventually submits. Rory blew out a frustrated huff of air. "Where does that sound familiar?!" He rolled his eyes as he leaned back in the desk chair. Movement by the door caught his attention.
Rin unfurled his crossed arms and pushed away from the doorframe he'd been leaning against. As much as Rin would refuse to admit it, Rory had caught his interest. It wasn't often an assistant would continue turning down the advances or offers he made, but Rory had. Even more interesting, Rory still worked hard regardless of what nonsense request Rin made, and there had been several. Rin had spent the better part of the last week making Rory redo meaningless tasks or repeat pointless steps, loading Rory down with any type of frivolous work he could think of just to push his buttons. Rin forced a scowl onto his face as he closed the distance between him and the desk. "What looks familiar? Please, do tell. I'd hate for my work to mimic someone else's."
Rory shook his head. "It's not that it mimics anyone else's work. It's that the character Inari reminds me so much of you."
Rin shrugged. "I tend to cosplay my characters, so it's only natural to give them some of my own traits." Rin's eyes moved down to the notepad on the desk. "What's that?"
Rory followed Rin's gaze. "Oh... I was having problems leaving my notes on the tablet as I read, so I wrote them down. I'll go back in at the end of the chapter and add them."
Rin lifted a brow. "All that from one chapter?"
Rory shook his head. "No, I got so into reading I didn't stop on the last few chapters, so it's more like three or four chapters at this point."
Rin frowned. "Still, that's quite a lot, isn't it?" Rin's eyes reflected a combination of skepticism and irritation. "Do you really dislike it so much? Then why continue to read it day in and day out? We can find plenty of other work for you."
Rory shook his head. "No, I-" Before he could answer, the phone rang. Rory frowned as he read the name on the display. His gaze lifted hesitantly to Rin, praying Rin didn't see who it was, but sure enough, Rin's cold eyes stared down at the phone as well.
"Well? Aren't you going to answer?"
Rory cleared his throat. "Y-yes. Please, excuse me."
Rin nodded toward the phone. "Go right ahead."
Rory swallowed hard. "Hell-hello, Sir."
"Rory, how are you settling in? Fine, I assume since I've not heard anything from anyone at the house or you." Rodric wasted no time. "Speaking of, how is everything? Has Rin been keeping up with the schedule?" He droned on about upcoming events and releases, not giving Rory time to answer.
Rin rolled his eyes from the other side of the table as he took the notebook and pen and flipped it to a clean page. Rin scribbled something across the top and turned it to Rory.
Rory read it, then nodded. He waited until Rodric was silent before reading from the page. "Everything is prepared for the current release of 'Seduction in a Time of Cherry Blossoms'. It will coincide with the event next weekend. We are wrapping up with the planning of it now. All of the photos and videos are finished. Dillon is currently doing the editing, and uploads will be complete this week." Rory lifted his gaze to Rin as Rin took the notebook back and began writing again.
"Fantastic. Is that all?"
Rory read the notebook as it was being slid back to him. He frowned as he read it out loud. "There may be some delays with the new story. I... found some issue with the plot and..." He cleared his throat, not wanting to read what Rin had written. "Lack of romance... but." He quickly pressed on, holding Rin's glare from across the desk. "We are working together, quickly to fix the issues and should... um... have it ready soon, Sir."
Rory could hear the frown in Rodric's voice as he replied. "Tell Rin, I don't like delays. Fix whatever problem there is quickly."
Rory's frown deepened as Rin gave him a 'told you so' shrug. "Yes, Sir, and trust me, Sir. The story will be better after the changes."
"It better be, Rory. Remember, keeping a professional relationship with Rin is just the bare minimum to keep your job. I expect actual work as well, Rory."
"Yes, Sir. I understand. I am doing my very best."
"Very well. Until next time." With that, Rodric hung up.
Rin shook his head. "My father, the asshole. Better start taking fewer notes or find a faster way of doing them if you want to keep your job. You think I'm your biggest problem, ha... If my dad thinks he's going to lose a dime, then it'll be hell for all of us."
Rory sent him a skeptical glare. "I thought that was your goal, get me fired?"
Rin shrugged. "I could give a shit either way. My number one is myself and the team I've spent years trying to build behind that asshole's back." Rin's face relaxed somewhat. "Besides, you did well enough just now."
Rory furrowed his brows. "All I did was read from a piece of paper."
Rin pushed up from the chair. "That's all I need you to do. Keep it up and we'll be cool." Rin's eyes moved down to the notebook. "Don't waste time copying that shit over to the tablet. I don't mind reading from a notebook, but there has to be a better way. We'll workshop it when Dillon gets back."
Rory nodded, at a loss for words. Rin was in no way in a good mood, but he wasn't mad at Rory for once. In fact, it seemed Rin was starting to warm up to him... Or was that just wishful thinking?
Rin glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, and before I forget... Stop by my room later. I notice most of your close are shit... No offence... I went through some of the closets and gathered what I thought would fit you."
**
Rory clutched both his elbows as he walked into Rin's room in a feeble attempt to steal his nerves. "You really don't have to do this..." His words trailed off as his eyes landed on the bed and bugged.
Rin shrugged as he glanced up from the pile of clothes that lined the bed. "I suppose not... but dear old dad would say your appearance reflects on our appearance and would shit a brick if he saw most of what you wore." Rin chuckled. "Though it may be worth letting you dress in your rags to see if he'll drop of a coronary."
Rory bit his bottom lip as his cheeks heated from embarrassment. "I... I didn't always dress so shabby... It's just... things haven't been the best..."
Rin blew out a sigh. "It's fine... There's no need to explain. How about you humor me and start with what you like, instead... colors, styles, fabrics..."
Rory released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. "I don't know... I'm not overly picky..."
Rin nodded as he stroked his chin. "Well, that's good in a way... but it really doesn't narrow things down here..."
Rory's brows furrowed as his eyes moved over the stacks of clothes. "What is all this? I... I wouldn't even know where to start."
Rin pointed around the bed. "Some stuff that different people have left at the house. That whole pile over there was left by different assistants. I picked the smaller, nicer things..." He pointed to another pile. "That is some stuff that's too small for Dillon and me that had been given to us by sponsors or brands... this or that... With luck, some of it may fit you." A smirk curved his lips as his finger moved to another pile. "And lastly, this pile will definitely fit you... But all hell will probably break loose if the owner realizes you're wearing his clothes."
Rory frowned, already knowing whose clothes they were. "Sebastian?"
Rin's smirk widened. "Good guess. So, are you starting with the sure fits or the safer bets?"
Rory moved to the piles that had been left behind and hadn't fit Rin or Dillon, and began searching for his size.
Rin chuckled. "Kill joy..." But even as he teased, he moved over beside him and began selecting items. "Here. I already had a few things in mind before you came in. Try these." Rin pushed the pile to the side and flopped down on the bed and watched in anticipation.
Rory's face heated as he held the clothes. "Um... You... you want me to try them on here?"
Rin chuckled. "Well, yes. Why not?" Rin tilted his head and licked the sharp edge of his upper teeth. "Didn't forget to wear underwear or something? Or are you afraid I'll pounce on you?" When Rory's entire face reddened, Rin through his head back in deep laughter. "Rory, there's a bathroom to your left. You don't have to strip right here unless you want... though I'm not sure why you're being so shy." Rin's violet eyes scanned Rory's flushed gaze. "Is there another reason you want privacy?"
Rory didn't bother answering. He had gotten so used to Rin's constant teasing, it was almost expected at this point... but expect it or not it didn't lessen the effects... He thought as he changed as quickly as possible, afraid Rin would bust through the bathroom door at any second. He stepped out, awkwardly adjusting the jacket of the three-piece suit. "I... don't know about this."
Rin stood slowly from the bed, his gaze trained on Rory. The slightly metallic burgundy and black suit contrasted significantly against Rory's pale skin, blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. Rin snagged a black satin tie from the bed and closed the distance between them. He looped the tie around Rory's neck and tugged him forward with it a step before loosening his grip. Silently, Rin dipped his fingers along the neckline of the dress shirt before flipping up the collar, causing the tiny hairs on the back of Rory's neck to stand up. He slid the tie under the collar and adjusted everything into place, running his hands slowly over Rory's shoulders as he smoothed out any wrinkles that might be there before returning his hands to the tie. Rin held Rory's trembling gaze as he teased Rory's chest below the tie with his fingertips with each movement as he tied it. Once it was tied, he trailed his fingers down to the V of the vest and held it open, sliding the tie tip inside. He gave the front of the suit a pat. "Perfect..."
Rory swallowed hard, knowing well his voice was going to crack and tremble once he tried to speak. "It... isn't it too much?"
Rin shook his head. "No, there are always dinners to go to, and you'll be expected to attend."
Rory gulped as he lifted his arms. "It... It's still a bit too big in places..."
Rin's eyes moved over Rory. "Hum... Let's see. Hold up the jacket and turn." Sure enough, the vest had an adjuster. Rin pulled it tighter, not missing the opportunity to run a hand along Rory's waist. "How does this feel? Not too tight?"
Rory nodded, unable to speak as Rin's hands continued roaming his body. Rory's throat went dry as Rin's hands moved to the waistband of the pants. "Belt... I have some..." He squeaked out."
Rin's lips curled up. "I guess that will have to work for now. We can always send it off to get alterations made." He slid his hand along the inside band. "I'll see if I can find something better fitted for the dinner for this event. Maybe something a little less formal as well."
Rory nodded and lunged for the bed, needing any excuse to get away from Rin's touch.
"Try this, and I'll try to find some black slacks in the meantime."
Rory paused as Rin handed him a second outfit. His eyes moved back to the piles on the bed, and he realized Rin had matched up several outfits in each pile already. Rory's eyes moved back to Rin. "You... um... Thank you..."
Rin arched a brow, an action he and Dillon both seemed to do often. "What? You need to look good, and I like fashion... Win, win... Now stop wasting time and go try these." A wicked smile curved his lips. "Unless you'd like me to strip you here."
Rory grabbed the clothes and raced to the bathroom. The next outfit was much more casual and fit perfectly... but seemed to be more of something Sabastian would wear. Rory didn't bother stepping all the way out of the bathroom before asking. "Um... Is there something else? I thought we'd agreed on nothing of Sabastian's."
Rin chuckled as he grabbed the next outfit and walked toward the bathroom. "One, I wanted to see if the two of you really were the same size; and two, I have to see you in that!" Rin pushed the door open, taking Rory in as he did. The top was tight and black sheer in places. Rin reached out and pinched Rory's nipple through the thin material. "I really think you should consider keeping this one."
Rory yelped and quickly grabbed the other outfit.
Two hours later, Rory was exhausted. Rin pushed the pile farther over on the bed. "Here, sit for a bit. You look like you're about to fall over."
Rory glared at Rin. "I wonder whose fault that is?"
Rin shrugged. "I don't know. You tell me. Who was it who let you go all this time wearing oversized, worn-out trash?"
Rory frowned as he sat on the edge of the bed. "Thank you... I appreciate this... You really didn't have to, regardless of what you say. You could have just thrown all this into my room and had me go through it... But instead, you took your time to match things and help me..."
Rin slid down to sit beside him. Rin studied his profile as Rory refused to meet his gaze. "You really are a hard person to hate, you know that? I've tried... I've tried with everything in me to hate you, to make you hate me..." Rin reached out and cupped his face, turning it so that their eyes could meet. "Is it working? Do you hate me, Rory?"
Rory swallowed hard as he shook his head. "Nah... no..."
"You should... You know that, right? Even while I'm sitting here with you, all I can think about is pulling your lips against mine... shoving all these clothes onto the floor and pinning you down onto the mattress... even knowing that's not what you want..."
Rory bit into his lower lip but didn't look away, didn't pull away.
Rin tightened his hold on Rory's face. "I can't decide if you're currently making what I want harder or easier for me..." Rin leaned in closer. "Should I see?"
Rory's brain struggled to process the words Rin was saying through the hypnotic spell Rin seemed to have him in. "See?..." When Rin slid closer and his hand moved from Rory's jaw to the back of his head, tangling into his hair, Rory quickly realized what was happening. He forced himself back to reality and shoved against Rin's chest. "No! I have to go!" Rory bolted upright and stormed for the door.
Rin glanced around at the stacks of clothes with an irritated huff. "Well... should I call him back in here, or give him a free pass for tonight..." A smile curved his lips. "He does seem close to cracking..."