The sun had barely risen when Hannah jolted awake, the sound of raised voices cutting through her dreams. Hannah groggily pulled herself out of bed, the remnants of sleep still clinging to her as she rubbed her eyes. The sound of Fuyuhiko's shouting echoed up the stairs, cutting through the early morning quiet. She squinted at the clock on her bedside table, it was barely past 7am.
Dressed in a baggy shirt and pajama shorts, she shuffled across her room and headed toward the source of the noise. Her bare feet made soft padding sounds on the cold floor as she made her way to the hallway.
As she opened her door, she noticed the lights in Fuyuhiko's office were on downstairs, casting a warm glow through the partially open door. The volume of Fuyuhiko's voice was unmistakable, his words sharp and heated, though she couldn't quite make out what he was saying.
Curiosity and concern tugged at her. She tiptoed down the stairs, her footsteps barely audible over Fuyuhiko's raised voice.
Hannah reached the office door and paused, peeking in to find Fuyuhiko standing behind his desk, phone pressed to his ear. His suit jacket was gone, sleeves rolled up, and his hair was disheveled from a night of work. Papers and documents were scattered across the desk, evidence of the long hours he'd put in.
Peko stood nearby, her expression neutral as always but with a hint of concern in her eyes. She was watching Fuyuhiko with a calm, measured gaze, clearly used to his outbursts.
She took a deep breath and pushed open the door fully, squinting against the brightness.
Hannah, still half-asleep, rubbed her eyes again and let out a tired yawn. She stumbled over to Fuyuhiko, the noise of his yelling growing louder as she approached. She could barely make out the heated words he was shouting into the phone, a mix of frustration and agitation. Without much thought, she wrapped her arms around him from behind and buried her face drowsily into his chest.
The sudden touch caught him off guard, and he stopped mid-sentence, momentarily stunned by the tight hug Hannah had wrapped around him. Fuyuhiko looked down at Hannah, his eyes wide with shock, as he took in her disheveled appearance and the fact that she was clinging to him.
Her face was still buried against his chest, and she mumbled, her voice muffled, "...mh too loud."
He sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the early morning and the frustration of the endless work pressing down on him. His gaze softened slightly as he looked at the top of her head, her tousled hair brushing against his suit.
"What are you-" he started to ask, but his words trailed off as he felt the warmth of her embrace. The softness of her touch and the way she was clinging to him made it clear she was genuinely trying to offer some comfort, despite the chaos of the situation.
He glanced at Peko, who had paused her sorting to watch the exchange with a slight, amused smile. Then back at Hannah, who was now almost completely leaning on him, her arms still drowsily wrapped around his waist.
Groaning in defeat, Fuyuhiko finally ended the call, disconnecting from the ongoing conversation that had been fueling his frustration. He placed a hand gently on the back of Hannah's head, feeling the slight tremor of her breath against his chest.
Peko, watching the exchange with a small, knowing smile, continued to sort through the papers but moved a little quieter, sensing the shift in the room's atmosphere.
"What are you doing up at this hour?" he grumbled, trying to mask his growing concern for the brunette.
Hannah's grip tightened slightly as she tried to stay upright. "..couldn't sleep... you're t-too loud." she mumbled, her voice muffled against his shirt.
Fuyuhiko looked down at Hannah, observing the way her eyes fluttered as she struggled to stay awake. Her exhaustion was evident, and despite his lingering irritation, he felt a pang of sympathy for her. Realizing how much she needed rest, he carefully guided her toward his office chair.
"Come on," he muttered, his voice softer than before. With a gentle but firm grip, he helped her settle onto his lap once she was seated. Hannah barely registered the movement, her eyelids growing heavier as she nestled into him, finding the unexpected comfort in his presence.
Once she was comfortably situated, Fuyuhiko adjusted his position, making sure she was secure without disrupting her rest. He glanced down at her, her head resting against his chest, her breathing already evening out as she snuggled closer. The quiet in the room seemed to make her even more relaxed.
Fuyuhiko sighed, shifting his gaze to Peko. She was still quietly observing the scene, her expression a mix of amusement and curiosity. She had seen many sides of Fuyuhiko, but this was a new one, him accommodating someone, especially so intimately, was rare and unexpected.
"What's with this?" Fuyuhiko muttered, his voice carrying a mixture of confusion and reluctant tenderness. He motioned vaguely toward Hannah in his lap. "She's never been this... affectionate."
Peko tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful. "Miss Togami seems to be seeking comfort. Given recent events and the stress you've been under, it's possible she's looking for reassurance, however unconsciously."
Fuyuhiko huffed, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, well, she sure picked an odd time for it. But... I suppose it's not the worst thing."
Peko approached quietly, continuing her work with a more subdued demeanor. "It seems you've managed to create that environment for her. It's important, sometimes, to let people find their own way to calmness."
Fuyuhiko glanced down at Hannah again, her face peaceful and serene as she slept. Despite himself, a soft smile tugged at his lips. He gently stroked her hair, feeling a mix of protective instincts and unexpected tenderness.
"Guess she's not the only one needing a break." he said, more to himself than to Peko. With Hannah resting in his lap, Fuyuhiko turned his attention back to his paperwork, taking care to work quietly so as not to disturb her.
He was now able to focus on the work with a degree of tranquility that had been missing before. The occasional glance he cast towards her made him realize just how much of a calming influence her presence had on him.
Peko resumed her tasks, glancing occasionally at the unusual pair with a hint of satisfaction. "It seems Miss Togami has a way of impacting your mood, young master."
Fuyuhiko grunted but couldn't entirely suppress the small smile that tugged at his lips. "S-shut up. I'm just.. being friendly for once, that's all."
It wasn't how he had planned to spend his morning, but in a way, it was a welcome change.
With Hannah peacefully nestled against him, Fuyuhiko managed to tackle his work with renewed focus. The morning's earlier chaos seemed a little more manageable, and the presence of Hannah, despite the strange circumstances, added an unexpected layer of calm to the hectic start of his day.
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