Work Text:
“Let’s get a bird!”
Ton blinked up from where he had been reading an article on his phone about the cheerleading world cup and met his girlfriend’s sparkling blue eyes.
His eyes softened in affection as he noted the enthusiastic purse of her lips as she leaned over him. It was the same level of enthusiasm she had held in her eyes when he had originally told her that he was interested in cheerleading. She hadn’t laughed or discouraged him. She had been the one thing that kept him going through the tough times.
He reached out and grabbed her hips, quickly dragging her down. She gave an adorable squeak of surprise but adjusted so that she was sitting in his lap, her face losing no enthusiasm despite the pout now on her lips.
“Ton! I might have squished you!” she insisted, letting go of one of his shoulders that she had grabbed for support to give him a light slap on the chest.
He raised an eyebrow and she stuck out her tongue in reply, her hand now lightly stroking his chest. “Think about it; how awesome would having a bird be?”
“Where did this idea come from all of a sudden?” he asked, his hand unconsciously reaching up to stroke her hair.
Chihiro grinned as if she had been waiting for that question and replied, “Kimiko from one of my classes got a parrot last week and she invited me round at lunch and she’s just so awesome!”
“The parrot or Kimiko?” asked Ton, his eyes unable to move away from Chihiro’s face as she grinned at him and replied “Both!”
He gave a huff of laughter, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as he asked, “What made the parrot so awesome?”
“He was so clever!” she gushed, her eyes glazing over with a faraway look as she began to recall her afternoon, “He could say all kinds of words and he did tricks like riding a tiny skateboard. A skateboard, Ton!”
“Well, maybe when we finish college we can consider it,” he suggested, watching as Chihiro’s smile turned into a pout.
“Wha…but why not now?” she replied, before she seemed to realize she could try another tact and leaned over, her lips practically touching his ear and whispered, “I could make it worth your while.”
He felt his heart skip a beat and heat coil in his belly at the feel of her breath in his ear, her tone making it clear exactly what she was suggesting. He struggled against his arousal, determined not to let her use this to her advantage.
“I’m sure you could,” he replied, doing his best to keep his voice level, “I just think that it would be best after college.”
“But why!” she replied, pushing back to look him in the face, her own features showing frustration at his insistence.
“We’re barely even able to make ends meet at the moment,” he explained honestly, hating the look of understanding that dawned on her face as she realised the truth in his statement.
“Yeah,” she replied, “I guess you’re right.”
Ton felt his heart twist at the look of sadness on her face and before he knew what he was saying, the words were already pouring out, “Once we’re out of college and working, that’s when I’ll be able to afford to give you everything you deserve. I can work and you can do whatever you want and you can have your bird and I’ll be able to afford to get you and our kids anything and I…”
Ton paused, a blush running to his cheeks as he realised what he had said out loud. They’d only briefly talked about the future before and never about kids.
He looked down at his lap and stammered, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have…”
“No” she interrupted, moving her hands under his chin to raise it up and look at her. The sadness had gone from her face, replaced by the twinkling eyes and blush that was spread across her cheeks. “I’m so lucky to have you Ton; our future together is going to be wonderful.”
Ton reached out to run his thumb across her cheek, cupping it as he did so. “No, I’m the lucky one.”
Chihiro leaned down and pressed her lips gently against Ton’s forehead. “I love you so much.”
Ton smiled up at the woman he loved more than anything else in the world. He couldn’t imagine life without her. She’d helped him become the best version of himself and he never would have gotten so far without her. He’d never be able to give back everything she’d given him but he’d spend the rest of his life trying.
“I love you too.”