#designated driver

The night started great, and quickly went south. Gojo cheering for Utahime to chug the rest of her second beer, Yaga arguing with Kusakabe over what qualifies as needing overtime pay, and Shoko trying to act like she's oblivious to Ijichi's very nervous advances. You couldn't really hear what was being said towards her, but Gojo was eagerly going back and forth with Utahime and tormenting Ijichi. One of his favorite past times.

You honestly don't know how the drinks snuck up on you like they did, but one minute you and Akari are talking about what recent assignments you both have gotten from the school, and then you're suddenly asking the woman to sneak off with you and go to a casino.

Which you would've gotten away with, too… if it weren't for Nanami. As soon as you were trying to excuse yourself from the table, you almost face planted to the bar's floor in which Nanami quickly saved you from with a tight grip around your upper arm. He quickly excused himself from the outing afterwards, saying you needed to be driven home as soon as possible. Though you never want to admit it, he couldn't have been more right.

So now, you're sitting in the passenger seat of his car, blabbing about whatever thoughts come to your head. You can feel the dirty look on Nanami's face somehow fill the car. It's not even directed towards you, and you're certain it's there. Glaring at the street lights ahead of you both.

"Na-na-mi… Na-na-mi…" You start humming to yourself when you're not acknowledged the first time. "Ken… to… Na-na-mi."

He speaks your name for the first time that entire night, and it makes you jump. He doesn't sound angry, which is maybe the scariest part about him acknowledging you. He's never afraid to share his criticism on duty, so the gentle use of your name grabs you.

Slowing down at a stop sign, you slowly turn towards the man and find him smiling back at you. Now you're wondering if one of your friends roofied you. Or, something less sinister— but enough to make you start imagining things. This isn't the Nanami you know during the daylight hours.

"What?" Nanami reaches his fingers towards the goggles on his face, gently pulling them down. His eyes are warm, the light from outside managing to highlight them in the lower light of the car. "Is it suddenly not so fun to say my name anymore?"

"That's— I never—" Your words are falling short, and you clear your throat like that would have any help with the slight issue. "Don't know what you're talking about."

Nanami lightly laughs through his nose, readjusting his glasses as the light turns back green and the car starts driving forward once again. "Okay. Whatever you say."

You press your lips together in a firm line, trying to get a grip when your drunken antics aren't pissing him off like you sort've hoped they would. Or, at least caused a little stir. Not a slight smirk and charming look in his eye. That's almost too much to handle in your inebriated state.

"You can keep saying it, you know…" Nanami speaks up. "I think it's pretty cute how you like saying my name."

"Haha, r-really?"

"Well, that and how you think I don't pick up on what you're telling people." He chuckles, keeping his eyes on the road. "If you're wanting to talk about cute you find me with Akari, maybe you should sit at the other end of the table."

Well, shit. You refuse to look his way as he acknowledges your messily kept secret. It really was going to be a matter of time, but does he really have to try and bring this up when driving you home?

"I… it's not—"

"Relax. I'm not trying to put you on the spot, or anything." He turns on his right blinker, the car smoothly following in that direction. "But, I think it's worth putting it out there… It might be safe to say the feeling is mutual."

Catching your attention, you peek up at Nanami from the side of your eye. His smile grows, but he doesn't turn to face you. Instead, a hand reaches across the center console and lightly holds onto the edge. Not pushing any potential boundary, but making himself available. Just in case.

"Don't get me wrong," Nanami stops the car in front of a familiar building. Your apartment complex. "I don't think getting involved in our line of work is the smartest thing to do. But, humans have feelings. That's what makes us what we are. I don't want to keep ignoring those."

A further reach, Nanami gently brushes fingers against the top of your hand. You look down at the both of your hands together, and you slowly let your hand turn over. Letting your palm face up towards his touch. He takes the opportunity, gently pressing his touch to yours before clasping them together. A silent agreement, because your mouth just forgets to work in the moment right now.

Nanami gently squeezes your hand, and you turn up to his stare. He's taken his goggles off, and your heart leaps with the look he's giving you. Nervously, you chuckle and have to look away with the shake of your head.

"Na-na-mi…" You teasingly sound out his name.

He does the same in return, flashing you a small grin when you giggle. 

One last sigh, you helplessly shake your head, "I… am really drunk, obviously. And, this— I want to be clear, this means a lot to me. I just think—"

"We can talk about this another time." Nanami nods. "How about tomorrow? Can I take you for coffee?"

You giggle, nodding softly with the suggestion. "Yeah. I'd really like that."

Nanami squeezes your hand once again, his thumb lightly tracing over your knuckles. You both stare at each other for another moment, and you silently hope that this is something you'll get to see again when sober. Which also feels dumb to think when he's just asked you to grab coffee tomorrow morning.

"I should probably head inside if we want any hope of me making it out the door before ten A.M." You smirk. 

"Can I help you upstairs? Just to make sure you get in through your front door." Nanami doesn't let your hand go, but turns to locate where he placed his goggles last. It's not necessary with you being able to sense cursed energy, but the offer makes you smile. 

Who are you to tell the man no? "Sure. Take me home, Nanami."