Chapter Text
RYO was lying on his back on the floor of SAKUYA’s room.
Not dramatically, not because he was tired. But because he chose to.
The rug around the bed was ridiculously soft. The kind that makes you wonder why beds even exist when the floor can be like this.
Akari was comfortably settled on his stomach, curled up like a warm, white bun, completely content as RYO absentmindedly scratched her chin.
“This should be illegal,” RYO murmured. “How do you expect me to get up when I’ve got this here?”
Akari responded with a deep purr, as if she agreed.
« ~ ☆ ~ »
The bathroom door opened.
SAKUYA stepped out with his hair still damp, dark strands falling haphazardly across his forehead.
He was wearing comfortable clothes—a loose T-shirt, soft pants—and had a relaxed expression he didn’t usually show anyone.
Too sexy to be legal.
Criminally sexy.
He took a step… and almost tripped over a leg sticking out onto the floor.
“…” SAKUYA stopped dead in his tracks.
He looked down, at which point RYO raised his hand in a lazy wave.
“Hi.”
SAKUYA glared at him.
“What are you doing on the floor?”
RYO smiled, completely unconcerned.
“Enjoying your rug. It’s a sensory experience. You should try it.”
Akari yawned, driving the point home.
SAKUYA sighed with forced patience.
“Get up.”
“No.”
SAKUYA looked at him.
RYO looked back at him.
Silence.
“Come on,” RYO added, patting the floor next to him. “Lie down with me.”
SAKUYA rolled his eyes.
“Absolutely not.”
Two seconds later… he sat down next to him.
RYO smiled triumphantly.
SAKUYA didn’t give him the satisfaction of looking at him. Instead, he reached out and began gently stroking Akari’s belly, and she responded by stretching as if she’d won the lottery.
“Traitor,” RYO muttered.
SAKUYA didn’t answer.
RYO then sat up a little. He scanned him from head to toe with unashamed audacity.
SAKUYA noticed it immediately.
“What are you doing?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
RYO smiled, proudly.
“Revenge!”
“Revenge for what?”
“You literally did the same thing to me when I walked into your office,” RYO replied. “Don’t try to deny it, Fujinaga. I saw it.”
SAKUYA rolled his eyes.
“You’re imagining things.”
“I’m not,” he replied, moving a little closer. “You checked me out. From head to toe. That’s unprofessional.”
SAKUYA was about to respond… But RYO began to run his fingers, slowly and playfully, along the hem of his shirt.
“RYO.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t do that.”
“That?” he repeated, doing it again.
Akari purred, completely oblivious to the chaos. SAKUYA closed his eyes for a second. He sighed.
“You’re unbearable.”
“And yet here you are,” RYO smiled.
SAKUYA looked at him. And, without saying another word, he leaned in and kissed him.
It wasn’t quick. It wasn’t rushed. It was firm and decisive. As if to say ‘shut up’ without using words.
RYO fell silent immediately. He returned the kiss with a smile pressed against his lips.
When they pulled apart, RYO rested his forehead against SAKUYA’s.
“It worked,” he whispered.
“I know,” SAKUYA replied. “It was the only option.”
Akari squirmed between them, demanding attention.
RYO laughed softly.
“I think the rug won.”
SAKUYA looked around. Then, without looking at him, he leaned in a little more.
“Five minutes.”
RYO smiled as if he’d won the whole world.
« ~ ☆ ~ »
The air still held the warm scent of the meal they’d just finished. A soft, familiar scent. Comforting.
SAKUYA was sitting on his expensive sofa, back straight, one leg crossed over the other, the tablet resting precisely in his hands.
He swiped his finger across the screen with a focused expression. Reading emails, reports, projects, confirmations…
The world was running as it should.
RYO, on the other hand, was being RYO.
He was… somewhere in the apartment. Probably opening drawers he shouldn’t open, touching things he’d been explicitly told NOT to touch, or talking to Akari as if she were a goddess.
SAKUYA didn’t look up. More out of self-preservation than trust. However, just as he was halfway through a report, he felt the couch sink beside him.
“Saku~,” a voice sang out, far too close. “What are you doing?”
SAKUYA didn’t answer. He didn’t even blink. And that… didn’t sit well with RYO.
“Saku…?”
Nothing.
“SAKUYA?”
Absolute silence.
“Fujinaga SAKUYA.”
RYO’s patience had officially reached its limit.
“Wow,” he muttered. “I’m being ignored in my own relationship.”
SAKUYA kept reading, completely unfazed.
RYO rolled his eyes. He was about to get up, defeated... when an idea —terrible, wonderful— flashed through his mind.
Carefully, he shifted on the couch and sat on the backrest, positioning himself so that SAKUYA’s back was between his legs. He was practically wrapping himself around him.
SAKUYA tensed his shoulders instantly. Even so, he didn’t take his eyes off the screen. RYO leaned in a little closer.
“Saku…” he whispered into his ear. “Busy with work?”
SAKUYA didn’t answer. But his grip on the tablet tightened.
RYO smiled and slowly began to plant soft kisses. One on the cheek, another along the jawline, and one more behind the ear.
SAKUYA took a careful breath.
“RYO…”
“Mhm?”
RYO didn’t stop. He moved down, slowly, to his neck. Right there, he began to plant delicate kisses, which soon turned into deeper kisses and gentle licks.
SAKUYA’s breath caught for a second. His head tilted forward slightly, unconsciously giving RYO more space.
“RYO… Love… Stop…”
RYO froze. Just for a millisecond.
“'Love' ?” he repeated, delighted. “Oh, that’s a first.”
SAKUYA pressed his lips together.
“D‐don’t change the subject.”
“I’m not changing it,” he whispered, planting another kiss. “I’m enjoying it.”
SAKUYA sighed. He turned suddenly, grabbed RYO’s arms, and pulled him firmly, causing him to fall onto the couch.
The tablet was forgotten.
SAKUYA straddled him, one hand resting on either side of his head, looking at him as if he were about to scold him… or kiss him. He hadn’t decided yet.
“What do you think you’re doing, Hirose?”
RYO smiled, cheekily.
“Interrupting a very boring meeting.” He brought his hand to SAKUYA’s chest and began to slide his fingers slowly, with absolutely no shame.
“Nothing serious,” he added. “Just watching you work.”
SAKUYA raised an eyebrow.
“You’re…”
“Adorable ?” RYO interrupted. “I know. But don’t think I’ve forgotten about the ‘love’ part.”
SAKUYA let out a short, incredulous laugh.
“You’re unbearable,” he said, leaning a little closer, coming dangerously close. “Do you think you have that much power on me?”
“I don’t think so,” RYO replied, looking him straight in the eyes. “I know I have.”
“I hate you.”
“Aha,” he smiled. “And you say you’re working… but you haven’t turned a page in two minutes.”
SAKUYA froze. Then, very slowly, he raised an eyebrow.
“Are you making fun of me?”
“A little,” he admitted. “With love~.”
RYO didn’t give him time to complain. He grabbed him by the collar of his T-shirt and pulled him in for a playful kiss. SAKUYA let out an annoyed sound that died against RYO’s lips… before returning the kiss firmly.
The kiss quickly intensified. Mainly because RYO didn’t know how to close his mouth. When they pulled apart, gasping for air, their breaths collided.
SAKUYA scanned him from head to toe, without the slightest pretense.
RYO smiled, pushing him lightly on the chest, with no real intention of pushing him away.
“Well… you’ll have to get back to work. What a shame.”
SAKUYA sat up abruptly… and forced him to sit up too, before lifting him by the thighs.
“SAKUYA!” RYO exclaimed, surprised, clinging to him by reflex.
“Work can wait,” he replied with absolute seriousness. “I have something more important right now.”
RYO laughed, delighted.
“Then go for it, love.”
SAKUYA gave him a quick, decisive kiss before walking toward the bedroom.
« ~ ☆ ~ »
From the couch, Akari opened one eye and watched them leave. Then she yawned, settled in, and claimed the couch for herself.
Finally alone.
As it should be.
🦭💚🥐
RYO loves to sleep.
To sleep well.
To sleep deeply.
To sleep as if the world didn’t exist.
The bed was soft and warm. A perfect refuge. A platonic love… but love nonetheless. That’s why he had no interest in waking up.
Unfortunately, someone was threatening that basic human right.
“RYO… honey, wake up.”
SAKUYA’s voice was soft, gentle. A whisper right at the edge of his ear.
RYO shifted beneath the sheets, dragging one leg, turning his face into the pillow like a cat determined to ignore the morning.
“Five more minutes…” he murmured, his voice thick, barely conscious.
SAKUYA sighed. Not at all surprised.
“But you said you wanted to make that breakfast recipe with me today—the one you’re so excited about,” he said calmly. “Do you remember?”
RYO made an unclear sound—something between a ‘yes’ and a light snore.
“Besides…” he continued, lowering his voice a little more, “it’s already 11:50… and it’s your birthday.”
That had an effect.
RYO jerked his head around, his eyes still closed.
“Today…?” he murmured. “Today is my birthday?”
“Yes, love. It’s today.”
RYO seemed to process it slowly. He hugged the blankets tighter, as if the information were too much to handle for someone half-asleep.
“But I’m sleepy…” he complained, pouting visibly.
SAKUYA couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
He leaned over the bed and, without warning, began kissing him. He covered his face with soft, slow, and gentle kisses. On his forehead. On his cheek. On his nose. On his closed eyelids.
“Mmmmf– Saku!!” RYO laughed between kisses. “It tickles!!”
But he didn’t pull away. Not even once. On the contrary, he was smiling. He moved slightly, enjoying it between laughs and empty complaints.
SAKUYA finally stopped.
RYO slowly opened his eyes, still a little dazed, but with that silly, warm expression that only appeared when he woke up like this.
SAKUYA looked at him as if he were something precious. RYO raised a hand and touched his cheek, slowly, as if checking to make sure he was there.
“You’re beautiful…” he whispered.
SAKUYA looked down for a second. Then he looked up again, with a faint smile.
“And you’re still a sleepy-headed idiot,” he leaned in slightly and stole a quick kiss. “Come on. Time to make that breakfast. Even if it’s almost lunch…”
He sat up and walked toward the door with complete calm. But before leaving, he turned his face slightly over his shoulder.
“I’ll go ahead. Use my clothes if you want. You’ll be more comfortable.”
RYO nodded, still smiling.
The door closed softly. And silence returned… but it was warm. Full.
RYO stretched under the sheets, exaggerating the movement as if waking up was a heroic task.
“Birthday…” he murmured. “Breakfast… Saku…”
Finally, he sat up.
He walked over to SAKUYA’s built-in closet and opened the doors as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Everything was impeccable. Neutral colors, expensive clothes, absolute order. RYO grabbed a loose-fitting T-shirt and a pair of shorts without giving it much thought. He put them on.
They were too big for him. But they were comfortable, so they were perfect. Because they smelled like him.
Because they felt like home.
When he turned back toward the bed, he saw her. Akari. Curled up right in the center of the mattress. White, perfect, and watching him with half-closed eyes.
RYO approached her with a huge smile.
“Good morning, my queen…” And he smothered her in an exaggerated hug.
Akari let out an offended meow, but didn’t move. She just sighed… resignedly.
RYO laughed.
“Today’s my birthday,” he whispered to her. “Be nice to me, okay?”
Akari blinked slowly.
As if to say: “We’ll see.”
« ~ ☆ ~ »
RYO finally left the room, still holding Akari in his arms.
He was barefoot, lazily dragging his feet across the perfectly polished wooden floor—the one that was always spotless no matter how much RYO insisted on walking around as if he were a child who’d just woken up.
The aroma of freshly made coffee floated in the air, warm and enveloping. It mingled with that distinctive citrusy scent of the soap SAKUYA used to clean the kitchen.
The apartment was silent.
Not an awkward silence. Not a tense one. It was that comforting silence that only exists when everything is right.
RYO walked slowly down the hallway, absentmindedly stroking Akari’s soft fur. The cat purred, completely at ease, as if that were exactly where she belonged.
When he reached the kitchen, RYO stopped in the doorway. And he saw him. With his back to him, standing in front of the counter.
He was wearing a simple light gray shirt and black lounge pants. His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, revealing those defined muscles that RYO knew all too well. His movements were precise, controlled, almost elegant as he chopped something with absolute concentration.
RYO smiled without realizing it.
That was his husband.
Yes.
His husband.
🦭💚🥐
➵ They dated for two years.
They laughed. They fought over silly things. They teased each other affectionately. They shared improvised breakfasts, intimate nights, and comfortable silences that needed no explanation.
And then, one completely ordinary night…SAKUYA knelt down in front of him.
He held out a small box to him; his hands trembled slightly, and his voice faltered several times. But he gave RYO the most heartfelt speech he had ever hoped for or heard.
He proposed to him.
He proposed to him on a trip they took to Kyoto to visit RYO’s parents. It was there that SAKUYA had also asked RYO’s parents for their approval of the marriage, along with some unexpected gifts that RYO knew nothing about.
RYO had taken him to the beach to —supposedly— show SAKUYA his favorite beach, where he’d played so much as a child with his grandparents.
What he didn’t expect was that… his boyfriend had already set everything up to propose to him right there.
RYO hadn’t seen it coming at all. Nor had he ever seen him like that: nervous, vulnerable, and so genuine.
He cried so much that he couldn’t even respond at first. He just hugged him. He kissed him. And then, finally, he said yes.
Over and over again.
RIKU had been the first to find out. And the first to literally jump on him. JAEHEE had to hold him back so he wouldn’t keep screaming like he was at a concert, but he was just as excited when he heard the news.
SION… well, according to SAKUYA, he’d reacted the same way. He had to cover his mouth so the whole office wouldn’t hear him.
What RYO didn’t find out until later was that SION had helped with the proposal. He’d suggested the ring. He’d helped with the timing, the decorations, the gifts. Everything.
And when he found out that RYO had said yes… he screamed with joy.
Five years had passed since then. Five years of marriage.
And everything was… wonderfully real.
« ~ ☆ ~ »
Their dynamic hadn’t changed much.
They still called each other “idiot” and “soulless beast.” They still competed over who could cook rice better. They still teased each other at every opportunity.
But now there was more.
More spontaneous caresses. More stolen kisses. More long hugs for no reason. Especially on SAKUYA’s part.
The same man who at work remained cold, calculating, and distant… but who at home allowed himself to be gentle.
He called him ‘love’ more often than ‘RYO’. He’d smooth his hair as he walked by. Sometimes he’d hug him from behind in silence and plant a kiss on his neck, as if that were enough to say it all.
RYO had moved into the famous ‘billionaire’s apartment’.
But what he loved most wasn’t the luxury. It was the ‘luxury’ of loving and being loved by the love of his life.
« ~ ☆ ~ »
RYO gently set Akari down on the kitchen counter.
The cat stretched, yawned dramatically, and then settled into a corner where the sun was streaming in, just as any queen deserved.
RYO moved forward silently. He approached from behind and, suddenly, wrapped both arms around SAKUYA’s waist.
“Boo!”
SAKUYA didn’t even flinch. He just smiled.
He carefully set the knife aside and rested both hands on the kitchen counter for a second before slowly turning around.
RYO didn’t let go, so they stood face to face, very close.
“I see you’re wide awake already,” SAKUYA remarked, raising just one eyebrow.
RYO stuck his tongue out at him.
“How could I not be, when you covered me in kisses like I was a waffle with honey?”
“It could’ve been worse,” SAKUYA replied with a half-smile. “I considered using feathers.”
RYO burst out laughing.
“Believe me, I know you did.”
SAKUYA ran a hand through his hair casually.
“It’s your birthday. I decided to save that cruelty for another day.”
RYO looked at him suspiciously.
“Does that mean you’ll do whatever I say today!?”
SAKUYA thought about it… for far too long.
“It means you get to choose the flavor of the juice today,” he replied with complete seriousness. “Don’t get your hopes up.”
RYO put a hand to his chest, pretending to be hurt.
“You’re cruel even when you’re trying to be nice.”
SAKUYA leaned in slightly and gave him a short, warm kiss.
“And you’re still being dramatic. Happy birthday, RYO.”
RYO smiled, hugging him tighter.
“Thanks… for everything.”
Akari opened one eye from the countertop. She gave them a judgmental look and went back to sleep.
« ~ ☆ ~ »
RYO was sprawled on the couch, with Akari curled up on his chest and a light blanket covering their legs.
He was holding his cell phone, smiling like an idiot.
“Why are you so happy?” SAKUYA asked from the kitchen, without looking at him, pouring coffee with absolute calm.
“Because it’s my birthday,” RYO replied without hesitation. “And because I’m still alive. And because you’re my husband. And because Akari loves me more than she loves you.”
Akari opened one eye. She nodded in agreement.
SAKUYA clicked his tongue.
“That last part is objectively false.”
RYO’s cell phone suddenly vibrated. Then again. And again. RYO blinked at the screen… and screamed.
“IT’S RIKU!!”
“Keep your voice down,” SAKUYA murmured. “And please turn down the volume on your phone so that–”
Too late.
RYO had already accepted the video call.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY BABYYYYY!!!” RIKU shouted from the screen, so loudly that Akari jumped off RYO’s chest. “LOOK HOW BIG AND BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE!!!”
“Honey…” JAEHEE said with a gentle smile from the background. “Happy birthday, RYO!!”
“THANK YOOOOUUUU!!” RYO replied, holding the phone closer to his face. “MY FAVORITE CHAOTIC FAMILY!!!”
“HAVE YOU BEEN SPOILED YET?” RIKU asked, pointing at the screen. “HAS SAKUYA ALREADY FULFILLED HIS HUSBANDLY DUTY?”
RYO tilted the phone slightly.
“He's right here,” he sang out. “And yeah, he already kissed me.”
SAKUYA looked up from the kitchen, completely serious.
“Don't exaggerate.”
“He kissed me 127 TIMES,” RYO corrected. “And it's barely–”
“RYO,” SAKUYA interrupted him.
RIKU squealed.
“I KNEW IT!!!!” he pointed at the screen. “THAT MAN IS ONLY NICE TO YOU, I KNEW IT!!!”
JAEHEE chuckled softly.
“Have fun! Enjoy your day, RYO!!”
“Thanks… really,” RYO said with a sincere smile. “I love you guys ♡!!”
The call ended amid RIKU’s shouts and affectionate threats. RYO dropped his cell phone onto the couch and sighed happily.
“I’m not going to do absolutely anything today.”
“You already do that every day,” SAKUYA replied, approaching with two mugs.
RYO opened his arms to him.
“It’s my birthday. Special rule.”
SAKUYA rolled his eyes but sat down next to him. RYO wasted no time and curled up against his side, resting his head on his shoulder.
“Cuddles,” he murmured.
SAKUYA sighed… and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“You’re so demanding.”
“And kisses.”
SAKUYA rolled his eyes. He tilted his head and gave him a gentle kiss on the temple. Then on his hair, his forehead, his cheek… RYO smiled as if he’d just won the lottery.
“More.”
“You’re impossible.”
“And you love me.”
SAKUYA didn’t answer. He just gave him another soft kiss.
« ~ ☆ ~ »
Later, RYO was sprawled out on the couch, absentmindedly scrolling through his phone, when SAKUYA appeared with a box.
“What’s that?” RYO asked, sitting up abruptly.
“Open it.”
RYO did.
First he saw the clothes: loose-fitting T-shirts. Comfortable pants. A neck chain. Sweatshirts in that style he liked so much.
“SAKU!!” he exclaimed. “YOU KNOW ME TOO WELL!!”
SAKUYA raised an eyebrow.
“I’m your husband.”
RYO kept pulling things out. And then…
“... LEGO!?” he whispered, as if he couldn’t believe it.
SAKUYA crossed his arms.
“I heard it makes idiots happy.”
RYO hugged him so tightly that they both almost fell off the couch. If it hadn’t been for SAKUYA seeing it coming and keeping his balance.
“YOU’RE THE BEST HUSBAND IN THE UNIVERSE!!”
“Careful,” SAKUYA murmured. “You’re going to wrinkle my shirt.”
“I don’t care.”
“I do,” he murmured, ‘annoyed’, but even so… he didn’t let go.
🦭💚🥐
The rest of the day went on like that.
RYO asking for cuddles, and SAKUYA giving them without complaining too much.
« ~ ☆ ~ »
Night fell without either of them noticing. There wasn’t a specific moment when the day ended—it just happened.
The warm light from the nightstand replaced the sun, and the outside world gradually faded away. The distant sound of a car, the faint murmur of the street… everything was left outside.
SAKUYA was sitting on the bed, his back against the headboard. He was absentmindedly checking his emails, taking advantage of the fact that RYO was in the bathroom. Otherwise, RYO would scold him for working so late.
Soon the bathroom door opened. RYO came out in clean pajamas, his hair slightly wet, and a warm smile on his face. The smile grew as soon as his eyes fell on SAKUYA.
He approached the bed and crawled over to SAKUYA until he was between his legs, then gently rested a hand on his thigh, playing a little with the fabric of his pants.
SAKUYA looked up and immediately set the tablet aside.
“Is everything okay…?” he murmured, confused.
RYO didn’t answer with words. He leaned forward just a little and planted a small kiss on the corner of SAKUYA’s lips. A soft, almost shy kiss, as if asking for permission.
Then another. A little longer.
SAKUYA blinked, surprised, and it took him only a second to return the kiss. His hand rested on RYO’s cheek and gently caressed his skin as he felt RYO melt into his touch.
RYO pulled back just a little, just enough to look him in the eyes.
“I’m going to kiss you a lot,” he said in a low voice, completely serious. “Until you forget about work for one night.”
SAKUYA sighed, though he was a little embarrassed.
“What are you talking about–?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” RYO replied, moving a little closer. “So don’t you dare lie to me, Fujinaga SAKUYA.”
“You know I hate it when you call me by my full name.”
“And I don’t like it when you work at night.” And without giving him time to protest, he kissed him again. SAKUYA closed his eyes, giving in far too quickly.
They pulled apart again when they started to run out of breath. RYO was smiling brightly, and seeing his husband smile, SAKUYA found himself mimicking the gesture.
“I’m sorry,” he finally apologized. “I know I shouldn’t have looked at my emails. I’m sorry.”
RYO looked at him tenderly before giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
“You’d better not do that again, then. Or you’ll find out what I’m capable of, Fujinaga.”
“Are you really going to keep using my last name?”
“Oh, come on!” he teased. “As if it doesn’t turn you on when I call you that…”
SAKUYA immediately looked away, clearly embarrassed, before burying his face in RYO’s neck. RYO couldn’t hold back his laughter at all and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
SAKUYA returned the embrace, his arms wrapping firmly around RYO’s waist, as if to make sure he wouldn’t go anywhere.
RYO noticed this and planted several kisses on his head. SAKUYA laughed softly —that gentle laugh that barely vibrated— and pushed RYO away slightly, without any real force, just so their faces would be close.
RYO smiled before cupping his face in his hands and drawing him in for a kiss. This time it was longer, but just as gentle.
SAKUYA responded immediately, closing his eyes and relaxing completely. His body was no longer tense; that excessive caution from before was gone.
When they pulled apart, RYO brushed his nose against SAKUYA’s.
“Thank you…” he whispered against his lips. “Today was the best birthday ever.”
SAKUYA hesitated for a second… and then nodded.
“Thanks to you,” he admitted. “For letting me spend it by your side. For letting me be your home.”
RYO planted another little kiss on his lips.
“Aw~! Saku! I didn’t expect something so cheesy from you,” he cooed. “You keep surpassing yourself after your proposal, huh? It’s adorable~.”
And SAKUYA, instead of protesting, rested his forehead against RYO’s and smiled.
“I love you, chichi…”
RYO smiled back at him and relaxed even more against him.
“I love you too, Saku.”
And that night ended with the two of them warmly curled up in bed. With SAKUYA’s arms gently wrapped around RYO, who was hiding his face against his chest.
| END ~ 💛🩷 |