Chapter Text
The first time it happened was entirely by accident. It was their first anniversary, and they were determined to celebrate it, despite all the awkward kisses and eye contact and many, many failed attempts at handholding. Ranmaru didn’t think he’d still be nervous after spending a whole year dating Reiji, and yet his palms still got sweaty when Reiji reached across the center console to hold his hand. His cheeks still turned red when Reiji leaned over to peck his cheek at a red light. He’d blamed it on the cold January air, and Reiji was kind enough to not mention that shouldn’t be the case with the heat on.
Despite having been together for a full year now, it was still so strange to Ranmaru that they had even gotten together to begin with. They didn’t have much in common outside of the shows and events they did together. Or, at least, that’s what Ranmaru had thought, but late nights working on scripts and lyrics had cleared up that misconception. Over time, talking about work changed to talking about their favorite music, favorite foods, and hobbies. Anything that came to mind, really. They’d have long discussions about anything from their favorite British rock bands to the proper way to grill steaks. Ranmaru hadn’t realized it at first, but he hadn’t felt that accepted, that close to someone in a long time.
In his experience, friendships were transient. As soon as it wasn’t convenient to hang out with him, they’d just stop. After getting burned so many times, Ranmaru had decided friendships, and anything more, weren’t worth his time. But Reiji was different. Even after the number of projects they were working on together went down, Reiji still bugged him to go out for dinner, grab a drink, or just hang out and talk for a while. Ranmaru wasn’t used to being treated kindly like that. Like someone enjoyed his company. Like he was actually wanted.
It was only natural that he would develop feelings for someone like that. Ranmaru harbored his crush for months. He tried so hard to make sure that Reiji didn’t find out, but obviously that didn’t go as planned. Despite playing the fool, Reiji wasn’t an idiot, especially when it came to picking up on the feelings of those around him. Fortunately for Ranmaru, the brunet felt the same way, and after dancing around their feelings for what felt like an eternity, they finally managed to get together.
Ranmaru remembered that night fondly. Their story certainly wasn’t a unique one. They got plastered at Reiji’s apartment on New Year’s Eve, one thing led to another, and they woke up the next morning, naked as the day they were born, in Reiji’s bed. Ranmaru did what any rational person would have done and fled the scene, but Reiji wouldn’t let that slide. He’d hounded Ranmaru with texts, phone calls, and eventually pounding on his front door, until the younger man finally let him in, both metaphorically and physically. After the two weeks Ranmaru had kept Reiji waiting, the conversation they had was relatively short and sweet.
Reiji had barely made it through the door before all but shouting, “I like you, Ranmaru! Do you like me?” All Ranmaru had to say was yes, and just like that, he had his first boyfriend. The boyfriend who somehow still wanted him around a year later. Ranmaru glanced over at said boyfriend from the passenger seat of the car. Reiji looked so calm when he was driving. Not the usual high-strung bundle of energy he was on set, and not the stressed out overthinker Ranmaru saw in private. He liked the way Reiji looked when he was content. He was somehow even more beautiful when he looked happy like this. He wished he could see it more often.
“You know, Ran-Ran, just ‘cause I have my eyes on the road doesn’t mean I don’t notice you staring.” Reiji broke their comfortable silence, tearing his gaze away from the road momentarily to throw Ranmaru a wink.
“What’re ya talkin ‘bout? I wasn’t staring.” Ranmaru huffed. He absolutely was, but he wasn’t about to admit that to Reiji.
“Mmhmm, of course not.” Reiji laughed.
“I wasn’t!” Ranmaru said, a bit too forcefully. “I was just looking at the scenery.” The car fell silent after that, but it was a lot less comfortable than before. Here they were supposed to be having fun together, and Ranmaru was just being a dick. After a few more minutes of silence, Ranmaru swallowed his pride enough to apologize. “‘m sorry, Rei. I didn’t mean to yell.” Ranmaru said gently, as he rubbed his thumb across Reiji’s knuckles.
“No, Ran-Ran, you don’t need to apologize. I know you get embarrassed about stuff like that. I should know better than to tease you about it. I’m sorry.” Reiji said softly without taking his eyes off the road.
“You shouldn’t have to deal with my shitty attitude, though! We’ve been together for a year now, I shouldn’t still be too embarrassed to say I was looking at you, because you’re gorgeous! And I definitely shouldn’t yell at you for it.” Ranmaru turned crimson when he realized what he’d just said. Could they just get home already so he could crawl under a rock and die?
“Y-you think I’m gorgeous?” Reiji asked shyly. Ranmaru was taken aback by the lack of his usual confidence.
“Yeah...you-you’re beautiful, Rei. And I was thinkin’ about how calm you look when you’re driving. Makes you even prettier.” Ranmaru blurted out before he could stop himself. God, what was he saying? He was going to die of embarrassment.
“I-Thank you. That’s so sweet, hun.” Reiji gave his hand a soft squeeze. “You know, you don’t have to be embarrassed to say things like that to me. I’ll try not to tease you about it. I-I really like hearing you...compliment me and stuff like that.” Ranmaru was surprised Reiji was the one turning into a stuttering mess. Usually his boyfriend wasn’t fazed by anything, but knowing Reiji felt these same butterflies eased some of his own nervousness. Ranmaru lifted their joined hands to his lips and gave Reiji’s palm a soft kiss.
“Then I’ll try to do it more often, Rei. I wanna make you happy, ya know?” Reiji gave him a bright smile, and the rest of the ride home from dinner was filled with their usual playful banter. By the time they got back to their neighborhood, the worst of Ranmaru’s nervousness had passed, so he took Reiji up on his offer to share a 6-pack at his apartment. And so, despite the chilly weather, they sat out on Reiji’s balcony drinking the night away with their arms around each other.
Ranmaru wasn’t sure what he did to deserve Reiji. Petty fights like the one earlier were far too common in their relationship, and they were almost always Ranmaru’s fault. And yet, Reiji stuck with him. Their earlier conversation had flipped a switch in him, though. From here on out, Ranmaru was determined to make sure Reiji knew just how much he cared about him. He wanted to make this last.
Making good on his word, Ranmaru stuck a finger under Reiji’s chin and gently turned his boyfriend’s face until their eyes met. “I l-love you, Reiji. Happy anniversary, babe.” He finished by giving Reiji a chaste kiss on the lips. When he pulled away, Reiji’s smile was as bright as the sun.
“I love you too, Ran-Ran! Here’s to many more anniversaries to come!” Reiji raised his can and Ranmaru did as well. He downed the rest of his beer, his third one, and pulled Reiji into his lap. The brunette yelped at the sudden movement and gasped when Ranmaru buried his face in his neck. Reiji didn’t seem like he was used to all the affection, and Ranmaru swore he was going to change that.
Maybe it was the romantic air around them, or maybe the three beers Ranmaru drank, or maybe some mix of the two. Whatever the cause, Ranmaru pulled Reiji closer to his chest and muttered something that sounded vaguely like “marry me” into Reiji’s hair. Realizing what he just said, Ranmaru’s cheeks turned a violent shade of red and he buried his face deeper into the brown locks. Thankfully, Reiji didn’t catch the soft-spoken words, but responded to Ranmaru’s affection by turning around and giving him a soft kiss on the lips. The night passed by with the pair holding each other and talking about whatever was on their minds, and Ranmaru forgot all about his soft-spoken proposal.