“Gentlemen,” Mikey says.
His voice doesn’t rise above its regular volume but the single word is enough to quiet the room of executives settled around the conference table.
He's standing at one end, a hand in the pocket of his slacks, the other tapping a random rhythm into the mahogany surface of the table as he regards his...what did you say these men were to him?
They're your friends Mikey.
His friends. Right.
He eyes Ran Haitani who balances on the back legs of the chair he's sitting on precariously. His loafer-clad feet crossed at the ankles on the table. Next to him, his brother sighs deeply, his thumb and forefinger massaging circles into the bridge of his nose.
Opposite them, Kokonoi and Kakucho appear deceptively calm. Kokonoi is chewing diligently on a piece of gum. His attempt at quitting cigarettes. Kakucho has one arm slung along the back of Koko's chair, his legs spread as he slouches in his chair. His eyes are closed, his head tipped back against the headrest. If Mikey didn't know better he'd think Kakucho was recovering from a night out drinking.
Of course, the truth is much wilder than Kakucho spending a night on the town.
Takeomi is absent. Naturally. Sanzu is sprawled in his own chair at the other end of the table. His guns are on the table as he shines his katana.
Mikey considers everything he's been through with the men in this room.
If you can let me in, then you can let them in.
He shudders as your words wash through him. You're like his fucking conscience. It's simultaneously the most unnerving and wonderful experience he's ever had. A voice of reason that isn't being paid in his blood money. He glances at Kakucho again quickly.
If you think these men have stuck around because you're paying them then you're dumber than I thought, Mikey.
Sanzu gently places his katana on the table and shakes out the little cloth he was using to shine it. He gives Mikey his full attention. the action seems to stir the others who also turn to him. Kakucho lifts a single brow at him in question.
And the action sets of something akin to...gratitude in Mikey. It's a wildly unfamiliar sensation and he has to quell the urge to rub his chest.
They would die for you, Mikey.
Yes, they would. He catches a glimpse of a cut running along Rindou Haitani's chest as the man shifts in his chair. The skin is shiny and puckered from healing and a pang goes off in his chest that almost knocks him on his ass.
These men would die for him.
A sudden clarity comes over him and he has to blink several times to reorient himself. It feels almost like someone has ripped whatever ill-fitting glasses he was wearing before off and he can see clearly now. Jesus Christ, these men would die for him.
He sinks heavily into his own chair. The weight of his previous oversight anchors him to the cushion.
"I have news," he blurts.
The words suck the air out of the room. Silence ensues for a handful of seconds and then...
"Oh my God, you knocked her up!"
Rindou reaches Ran before Mikey can react to his exclaimed words and slaps his brother in the back of the head.
"I-" Mikey starts, blinking in confusion. What?
"Jesus Christ Ran, so what if he has?" Rindou interrupts, glaring at his brother.
"I di-" Mikey tries again, his brows furrowed.
"That actually...that makes sense," Kokonoi says slowly, nodding. "I saw her eat half a cake by herself the other night."
Kakcuho is gaping at Mikey. But there's a twinkle in his eye that makes Mikey nervous.
"Wait a min-"
"I thought you'd never notice," Sanzu laughs from the other end of the table and Mikey's skin chills.
What?
"What?" He zones out. Something in his voice must get the others attention because the room goes quiet.
"That's not...the news?" Ran squints at him, his chair making a thudding sound as he settles onto all four legs.
Mikey swallows around a ball of spit that seems to be stuck in the back of his throat. Pregnant.
No- she can't be- she- but- but the crying...and the sensitive breasts. the cravings.
"I was going to say I'm getting married," he says, hollowly.
"Oh shit," Sanzu breathes.
"Fuck, Mikey."
"I thought it was obvi-" Kokonoi shrugs.
"She agreed to marry you?" Ran interjects. "Without-" he pauses to glance around the room quickly and then lowers his voice as he finishes his question "-putting up a fight?"
That gets the rooms attention.
"What the fuck kinda question is that?" Kakucho frowns. "She's in love with him."
That seems to throw Ran for a loop. His eyes narrow on Mikey who's still stupified by the realization that he might become a father and husband in the same breath.
"Maybe there is hope for me," Ran says.
Sanzu snaps at him. "Are you implying Mikey doesn't deserve her?"
Ran splutters. "What? No- Why the fuck would I-"
"Just be quiet," Rindou sighs.
"You really think she's pregnant?" Mikey asks, interrupting their squabble.
"Yes," Koko nods.
"Absolutely,” Rindou agrees.
"Half a fucking cake Mikey...in a single sitting."
Mikey blanches. “She’s pregnant.”
Koko chuckles.
“She’s fucking pregnant,” he repeats. There’s a note of distress in his tone. “With a baby. A child!?”
Kakucho gives him a knowing look. “Congratulations, Manjiro.”
Sanzu, who has been uncharacteristically quiet stands. “This means she can’t say no to a protection detail anymore.”
Mikey’s brain stutters. Protection. Because shes pregnant with your child and about to become your wife. She’s singlehandedly the most important person to Bonten. And to him.
“Oh fuck.”
Rindou shakes his head. “We need to start personally vetting Bonten members now.”
“Why did it take a child and a marriage to convince you of that and not the two times we’ve been double crossed?” Kakucho questions.
“Do you want to deal with a Mikey whose wife and child are hurt or murdered?”
The room falls quiet as all eyes fall to Kokonoi. A heavy tension settles on Mikey’s shoulders. He’s having a child. Maybe. And getting married. Definitely.
And he runs one of the most dangerous organizations in the world. With over a hundred thousand employees worldwide. And stakes in every major and even some minor pies, in every industry.
He’s not sure of much except his own success and frankly, inhuman work ethic. But as the realization that his life is changing. Developing into something better, something more. He’s sure that if anything ever happens to you or his unborn child…he would unravel.
“Can we circle back to her wanting to marry him?” Ran asks, breaking the tension. “Without being coerced?”
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