🎩 luxury photoshoot! 🎩

The studio looked like money.

Tall glass windows, polished floors, camera tracks laid out in clean parallel lines. Assistants whispered instead of talking. Lights glowed in a soft gold meant to make everything look richer than it already was.

Itoshi Sae adjusted the cuff of his suit jacket and pretended not to care.

Because he didn't, of course.

This was work. Another sponsor shoot. Another ridiculous spread about elegance, precision, world-class talent. He'd already skimmed the shoot concept — Modern Royals of Football. Dramatic title. Overconfident production. Typical.

He could tolerate it.

Until he heard the laugh.

Sharp. Loud. Bright.

"You've gotta be kidding me—"

Sae closed his eyes.

No. No, there was no way.

He turned.

There he was.

Bleached hair. Piercings. Shoulders slouched in the most expensive suit Sae had ever seen someone disrespect.

Shidou Ryusei grinned like he had no intention of behaving — and never had.

He spotted Sae immediately.

And smiled wider.

"Heyyy~ look who I get to play dress-up with."

Sae sighed through his nose.

Of all the people in the world.

"...You."

"Miss me?"

"Don't talk to me."

Shidou laughed like that was the best greeting he'd ever received.

He sauntered closer, tie undone, shirt collar open just enough to break about twelve dress code guidelines. A stylist trailed behind him in distress, clutching hairspray and moral support.

"You look pretty serious today, Sae-chan," Shidou drawled, leaning forward to inspect him. "Did they print 'emotionless' on your contract again?"

"Fix your collar," Sae replied flatly.

"Oh?" Shidou tilted his head. "You watching me that closely already?"

Sae didn't respond.

He adjusted his cuff again just to have something else to do.

The photographer clapped his hands.

"Positions! First set — seated, minimal expression, strong posture. Sae Itoshi, regal and composed..."

Sae's brow twitched.

"...and Ryusei, contrast energy but contained."

Contained.

Shidou mouthed the word like a joke he couldn't wait to ruin.

They took their places.

Two velvet chairs. Luxurious. Ridiculous.

Sae sat straight — clean lines, neutral jaw, eyes level with the lens.

Shidou sprawled sideways like a cat who had never learned what a straight back was.

"Ryusei," Sae muttered.

"Mm?"

"Sit like a human being."

Shidou smirked.

"But I thought I was supposed to be the wild one~"

"Contained," Sae repeated sharply.

Shidou put his chin on his palm.

And turned his head.

And stared directly at Sae instead of the camera.

The photographer lowered his camera slowly.

"Ryusei... face forward."

Shidou hummed lazily.

"But he's prettier than the lens."

Sae did not react.

Externally.

Internally

he considered murder.

"Face. Forward." the photographer begged.

Shidou finally did.

For three seconds.

The camera clicked.

Flash.

Click.

Stillness.

—

Then Shidou slid his heel across the floor

just barely tapping Sae's shoe.

Sae did not look down.

Click.

Tap.

Click.

Tap-tap.

Sae's jaw tightened.

"...Stop."

"Stop what?" Shidou whispered, voice a shade too amused. "Just getting comfy."

Click.

Tap.

Sae exhaled slowly through his nose.

The photographer smiled, relieved.

"Yes — perfect. Strong intensity from both—"

Shidou leaned in closer.

And whispered,

"Boring."

Sae turned his head one degree.

The smallest break in the pose.

The camera flashed —

The shot was stunning.

Unplanned.

Tension caught mid-breath.

Predictably,

everyone loved it.

"THAT. YES. Stay exactly like that!"

Sae wanted to die.

Shidou smirked proudly.

"You're welcome."

"I didn't ask."

"But you needed it," Shidou sang softly.

Sae straightened again.

Their next setup was standing — back-to-back, luxury coats draped over shoulders, gold accents catching the light.

Sae folded his arms.

Shidou leaned his weight against Sae's back like he was lounging against a wall.

"Don't lean on me."

"But you're stable," Shidou hummed. "Good core strength."

Sae slowly inhaled.

"You are exhausting."

Shidou grinned wider.

"Yet here we are, sharing a magazine cover together. Fate's kinda funny, huh?"

Sae ignored him.

The camera clicked.

They held the pose.

Silence — for a moment.

The studio air buzzed.

Then Shidou shifted again.

Not obnoxious this time.

Just...

closer.

His shoulder brushed Sae's.

Sae's fingers twitched — barely visible.

Their silhouettes overlapped under the light.

Too close for rivals.

Too distant for teammates.

Something in between.

The photographer whispered:

"...This chemistry is unreal."

Sae wanted to deny that word on principle.

But Shidou...

stayed quiet.

Uncharacteristically.

The next set?

Formal.

Chairs gone.

Table. Crystal glasses. A staged "private club" scene.

Shidou was supposed to sit opposite Sae.

They did.

Sort of.

Shidou rested his chin on his hand, eyes half-lidded.

He stared again.

Not at the camera.

At Sae.

Sae frowned slightly.

"Face forward."

"Mmm... no."

"Ryusei."

Shidou's grin faded — just a fraction.

His gaze softened.

Less mocking.

More curious.

"...You really never loosen up, huh?"

Sae didn't answer.

Because the question wasn't teasing.

It felt closer to something else.

A little too honest.

A little too real.

The photographer caught it.

Click.

Click.

Every shot burned with unscripted tension.

Sae hated that it looked good.

Shidou tilted his head.

"Hey."

"What."

"You ever get tired?"

Sae blinked.

"...What?"

"Being the perfect one."

The room felt too quiet.

Assistants pretended not to listen.

Sae looked away.

"That's none of your business."

Shidou's lips curved — but not into a smirk.

More like...

a smile he hadn't meant to show.

"Figured."

He leaned back.

Feet up on the table.

The stylist choked on air.

"FEET DOWN—!"

Sae pressed his fingers to his temples.

"You are unbelievable."

Shidou laughed again — bright, loud, reckless.

But there was something lighter in it now.

Like he'd seen something satisfying.

The photographer sighed.

"...Okay. Last set. Profile shot. Close proximity."

They were positioned side-by-side.

Barely a breath apart.

Sae faced forward.

Shidou turned his head slightly toward him.

Too close.

Way too close.

Sae could hear his breathing.

Feel his presence.

Sense the grin curving at the edge of his vision.

"Don't," Sae murmured.

"Don't what?" Shidou whispered back.

"Do anything."

"No promises."

The camera readied.

Silence.

Stillness.

Then —

Shidou leaned just enough that his forehead almost brushed Sae's temple.

Not touching.

Hovering.

An almost-touch.

Electric.

Sae's breath stalled for half a second.

Click.

The room froze.

The photographer stared at the preview.

"...That might be the cover."

Shidou chuckled softly.

Sae swallowed.

Very slightly.

"Get away from me now."

Shidou finally stepped back.

Hands in pockets. Head tilted.

"Bet you'll be thinking about that one later."

Sae glared.

"I won't."

Shidou smirked.

"You will."

They changed out of the suits.

The crew packed equipment.

Assistants whispered excitedly about the shots.

Sae buttoned his coat.

He expected Shidou to vanish instantly — loud entrance, loud exit.

Instead...

Shidou lingered near the door.

Hands behind his head.

Watching him.

"...What."

Shidou shrugged.

"You did good today."

Sae blinked.

That wasn't teasing.

It sounded genuine.

"...Obviously."

Shidou laughed.

"There it is."

He turned to leave —

Then paused.

Glancing back over his shoulder.

"Next time we do one of these..."

Sae crossed his arms.

"There won't be a next time."

Shidou grinned.

"Yeah there will."

He lifted two fingers in a lazy wave.

"See you, Sae-chan."

He walked out — loud, bright, impossible to ignore.

The studio quieted without him.

Sae exhaled.

Calm. Composed. Collected.

He checked his reflection in the mirror.

Neutral expression.

Perfect posture.

Unbothered.

...Except for one tiny thing.

His ears were very slightly red.

He adjusted his collar.

And pretended

he didn't know why.

art credit: https://cowleyes.tumblr.com/post/769972542162223104/can-u-feel-my-love-buzz-t-and-another-stupid