#ayatsu

As he exited the room, pulling the door closed again, Natsu left the manuscript she was reading on the side and instead opted to open the envelope. Ayato’s neat calligraphy greeted her. She rolled her eyes in exasperation—if she were anyone else, perhaps she would be inclined to think that her husband was being clingy or needy, or merely affectionate. She knew better, though; Ayato was just poking fun at her, as he so often did, probably because he was bored.

Definitely because she had not agreed to work in his office.

With a sigh, she began reading.

My dear lady: It seems I’ve been relegated to “distracting husband” instead of “loving husband” this morning, haven’t I?  I see you insist on working in another room, away from my charming presence—the same one you consider too distracting. I can hardly blame you, though. I know very well the effect I have on you. However, I must admit that it still makes me feel sad to know that you’re so close yet so far away. In all seriousness, though, I understand that you need your space to focus. I know you take your job very seriously, and that the last thing you want is for Guuji Yae to take issue with your work because of me (which she might, I’ll admit). Still, I must ask: don’t you miss our little exchanges? Isn’t your job a little too quiet? We could be here, in my office, sharing a glance or perhaps even a laugh between our tasks. I am sure it would brighten your day, as I know it would brighten mine. But if a little distance is what you need, I suppose I can bear it (not that you’ve given me any other choice). I’ll just have to entertain myself in other ways to make sure I don’t miss you as much, though I don’t know if they’ll work. It’s just not as fun without you here. If you need a break or a distraction (hopefully of the me kind), just say the word. You know I’m always available for you, my love. Don’t be too surprised if you find me “accidentally” walking past your room once or twice, though. I do miss you terribly. You cannot possibly blame a man for missing his wife. With all my love, An abandoned husband.

Natsu burst out laughing loudly as she finished reading. No matter how much time passed, Ayato remained that mischievous boy that scared her once with a spider so she would jump into his arms. Even now, after they had exchanged vows under the Sacred Sakura Tree with only the stars as witnesses, he pulled out these moves. She knew that, in part, he loved to make her laugh like this—but he was also stubborn, and he was trying to appeal to her more sensitive side.

Instead of playing into his hand and going into his office to lecture him—which he would adore—, Natsu picked up her own brush and a fresh page to write her reply.

In the next room, Ayato merely waited, humming to himself as he shuffled the papers on his desk. Most of them were requests that he had yet to read—stall requests for the upcoming festival, more budget for the advertising, and many other parts of his job that seemed a little too boring compared to his wife. 

When Thoma came back, wearing that same uncomfortable expression, Ayato smiled. His wife, after all, was stubborn. A little too stubborn, sometimes, but that only added to her charm in his eyes. As he looked up at his retainer, however, he seemed surprised. 

“That’s-” He raised an eyebrow.

Thoma cleared his throat as he handed him a clumsily folded letter. Natsu was still getting used to writing with a brush again, after all. “Lady Natsu said that she’s not engaging in your games anymore, my lord.”

Ayato let out an amused chuckle. “Did she now?”

Thoma excused himself, then. It was clear that he had had enough of entangling in his marriage, and he still had cleaning to do around the estate. Ayato chuckled to himself again as he placed the letter on his desk.

Dearest: I see you’ve been working on the art of whining lately. You’ve taken it to a whole new level, haven’t you? It’s honestly impressive. Should I start charging for your performances? You certainly know how to write a dramatic letter, considering that I am precisely in the room next to yours. I do understand that my absence might be causing you some minor inconveniences, seeing as you have no one to distract right now. You must understand, though, that I need to get through this manuscript today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today. And you, my love, are nothing short of irresistibly distracting, as you so kindly reminded me. A few minutes of work will definitely turn into hours with you around. I cannot get anything done with you sitting across from me with that charming smile.  Now, while I do miss our “little exchanges”, as you called them, I will not be tempted to come into your office. Stop trying. I am quite certain, as you probably are, that if I did, I would never leave. We would probably end up taking a break for tea, you would ask Thoma to bring some of those cakes I like so much, and I would never get anything done. So, as much as I am very amused by your antics, I will be staying in this room until I’m through with this manuscript. I promise I will come find you as soon as I get to a good stopping point, so stop sending Thoma in to check on me every five minutes. He’s caught up with your plan and so have I.  If you’re lucky (and patient), I might even bring some tea as an apology for not rushing to your side and abandoning you this morning. Until then, please, try to survive without me. I am sure you will manage somehow. After all, aren’t you a man of many talents? Very exasperated, Natsu.

Ayato chuckled again as he finished—he had truly found his match, hadn’t he?

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