To be reckless

Nami had migrated from the women back to her friends who were seated on the cushion Akashi had originally inhabited. Two of the dancers had paired up with the two men from the bar. The third woman was sandwiched between the Haitani brothers who were trying their best to guess her real name. Koko, Akashi, a guy with a scar that paraded from this forehead to his ear, and the one with the blue eyes was talking amongst themselves. Well at least now I have a chance to get a good look at him. Y/n admired his frame, he had long limbs. She flickered her eyes away. His forearms were exposed by his rolled-up sleeves and she could see some veins outlined, detailed even on his hands. Focus back on your friends. Don't wanna get caught now. His profile was handsome, his light hair had some pieces framing the front and the rest was tied back. Is that a scar next to his lip? She had enough information to establish that she was in fact attracted to the stranger. Based on Senju's reaction to their situation, she did not voice her opinion to her friends.

"No more drinking for the rest of us," Akashi looked at the three men around him. "Slow down on the drinks you have, pretend to take sips, I don't care. For at least the next hour we focus on getting them as drunk as possible." Sanzu picked his head up, elbows on his knees leaning forward. He had been looking at his shoes listening intently. He stretched and slapped his knees. "I'm on it."

Before Akashi could stop him, he was on his feet. "Alright, alright! You guys," he pointed to Jay and Ken, "gotta catch up with the rest of us. Haha!" The people in the booth all set their eyes on Haruchiyo. If tonight's a circus, I'm the ringmaster.

He grabbed his bottle by the neck and stood in front of Diamond, "Open up!" She did and he poured a shot in her mouth. Next was Jay who opted instead to guzzling his own shot, waterfalling it into his mouth. "Ahhhhh come on man she took more than you." Sanzu teased and exaggerated. "Alright, alright." Jay waved the bottle and then swung at it again. Ken took the bottle from his friend and drained more than the standard two ounces of a shot. He might as well have taken six shot glasses in a row to equate what he drank. Taking the bottle back Sanzu poured a shot down the next woman's mouth. Alright, perfect excuse, two birds one stone.

Sanzu approached the cushion Senju, Nami, and Y/n were crowded on. Senju couldn't believe Haru's audacity. She shook her head and clearly stated she wasn't interested. Nami wasn't understanding why Senju had to dampen the remainder of their night and enthusiastically complied. Opening her mouth for the shot.

I just did it, five times. Five shots, another one is no different. Easy.

Not easy just look at her.

Just do it goddamnit.

Sanzu stood in front of Y/n, signature grin masking his internal panic. She didn't move her head up right away. Yeah right I'll open up so easy buddy, I'm feeling far too feisty for that.

Cue the bedroom eyes. She looked up at him through her lashes.

God that's a great view, Sanzu thought to himself. Now or never.

He went to pour her a shot. The only ones to notice the slight tremble in Haruchiyo's hand were the men who worked side by side with him every day. Each man in his own way found that moment amusing useful information. Without breaking eye contact, he wanted to savor this, he hooked his pointer finger and let his knuckle settle under her chin.

Gentle, gentle, gentle, a reminder to himself. With slight pressure he pulled up her face until she was looking up at him fully, with her chin tipped up. He slipped his hand away, "May I?", picking up the bottle in his hand slightly. His face almost dropped as the couple of seconds waiting for an answer felt like centuries. Her curious expression turned into a small smile, and with a chuckle she said, "Go right ahead."

Where he had poured large waterfall shots for the others, he rested the lip of the bottle on her open bottom lip. Slow, slow, gentle now. No need to rush. Mind still racing he slowly poured a shot glass amount of liquor in her mouth. He removed the bottle, and to avoid looking like an idiot he turned and brought the bottle over to the woman sitting between the Haitani's. "Your turn" he said cheerfully.

Senju had watched the entire interaction with the same intent that the executives of Bonten had. It was conflicting and excruciating to witness. To make matters worse, Y/n turned to her

and swiped under her nose with her left hand.

Now how the hell am I supposed to stop that from happening? Senju mentally cringed.

Self-satisfied Sanzu ended his Hennessy tour right back in front of Akashi. "How was that?" he said animated and lively. The two traitors were on cloud nine; they were noticeably tipsy now. They were pawing at the women on their laps. Laughing loudly, engaged in conversation with the Haitanis. Koko silently laughed and shook his head. Kakucho got up and smacked Haruchiyo on the back. "You sure know how to enforce a good time man." In a lower voice into Sanzu's ear he said, "This is working out great."

"Whoever said work can't be fun made the wrong career choice." Sanzu retorted. "It's really all about balance, you balance the job," he raised one hand, bent at the wrist and flat like a scale, he lifted the other, "and the fun." With that he turned around, newfound inner confidence he headed back towards Y/n.

Getting back to her also meant the crusade of conflict in his mind was unrelenting. By the time he made up his mind he was already standing back in front of her. She was engaged in conversation with the girl that had come with her and Senju. He side-eyed Senju who was staring daggers at him. Looking away from his younger sister quickly, he cleared his throat. Y/n turned her attention to the sound.

Just flash that look the groupies love, she'll melt. You set the bait, time to reel her in. With a little more rasp in his voice, he spoke "Hey doll face." Haruchiyo gave a quick nod, half lidded eyes scanning her body up and down. Y/n raised her face and eyebrows, clearly amused in a comical way. Replying with a slow and sarcastic, "Hi" she placed her hand on chin to support its weight. Did he seriously think that would work?

I seriously thought that would work. Sanzu rolled his shoulders back, straightening out his posture. Shit um redirect reapproach. He coughed again, "uh" and couldn't help scratching behind his neck. "We never got a proper introduction, Sanzu Haruchiyo." He extended his hand and when she clasped it back. He fought the urge to kiss the top of it. Same old tricks won't work this time. She beamed, "Y/n Shiro, nice to meet you." Much better reaction.

Senju wasn't the only Akashi sibling glaring at the night's newest predicament. Akashi Takeomi's current goal was to snuff out what ever was brewing between Y/n and his estranged younger brother.

Sanzu let go of Y/n's hand and got straight to the point, "I wanna play with you."

Y/n's expression once again became amused but this time softer than before. "hmm?" "I, uh, I want to dance with you. You look like a good time. I mean, you just seem...enjoyable to be around. I've been meaning to ask you." Despite his confident posture and grin, his words convinced Y/n that he was struggling to get this off his chest. She stood up with a bounce, reassuring with him a smile, and grabbed his hand again. "I would love to dance with you, Sanzu."

Senju shot a panicked look to Takeomi. He knew exactly what his sister meant with that look. This gave him certainty Senju was on the same page as him when it came to the two of them. He shot up from his seat, big convincing smile, and let out three loud claps. "Hey now everyone, how bout we move this party to our place?"