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Mondo pulls Taka into their apartment by his hands. They stay linked through quick pecks, it is rather hard to kiss when smiles stop your mouth from pursing.
Taka has made it. Sure, this election victory won't catapult him right into the Prime Minister's seat, but it is one step - the first official step, the most important - towards it.
Taka?
Mondo perks up. They seperate, still hand-in-hand. Kiyotaka is beaming and doesn't seem to let go of that any time soon. There's somethin' I wanna tell you.
Happiness swings in their voices. What is it, my love?
Mondo breathes in and breathes out, a quiet chuckle accompanying his exhale, his body slumps.
He admits that he'll miss it; no more eyeing Kiyotaka and smirking at his ignorance, no more imagining the look on his face when that ignorance is lifted. Mondo has liked it, that tingling feeling in his chest, the assurance that he's putting effort into something significant, the excitement to make his boyfriend proud and happy. It's been a good secret.
I'm buildin' a house, baby. The one I promised you.
Every expression slips off Kiyotaka's face. What?
he whispers, rendered breathless.
It's so much better than anything Mondo had come up with. He's wide-eyed in surprise, but in a gentle kind of way. His brows dip slightly upwards, his lips part just a bit, he isn't hunting for an explanation, his gaze is resting on Mondo, awaiting his answer.
Softly, Mondo says, Remember that time at Hope's Peak? When I told you I wanted to become a carpenter?
Of course Kiyotaka remembers. He recalls Mondo looking down somewhat bashfully at the plainness of his ambitions but he wasn't yelling anymore, he had already grown. Mondo had accepted his praise for choosing the stonier but honorable path of redemption and recovery, he had learned that he deserved it.
Mondo had declared it like it was nothing, I'll build your house, bro!
, like it was only natural. And with that, Kiyotaka reawakens the astoundment of that moment, how blessed he is with Mondo Owada.
Kiyotaka is turning it over in his head, Mondo has built... on his own... for me..., it's unreal to think about. Somewhere out there stands a house that is theirs and theirs alone. Every floor, every room belongs to them; every wall, every window planned and placed by the man he loves. The cost, the material, the work, the time, the devotion. All for him, all for them, for it to become their home.
Why didn't you tell me?
Speech is dropping out of his mouth without his command.
It's supposed to be somethin' special,
Mondo replies and shrugs. Like, I'm takin' over the carpentry, you won your first election. Life's startin' for us!
His own wording evokes an amused huff from him. It feels right to say it now.
Kiyotaka is caught in a stupor. He is breathing, he is blinking, he is peering up at Mondo, there's delight in his eyes that twinkle down to him and Kiyotaka is drowning in them. There is so much to say, so much to do in his heart, mixing into a fuzzy warmth that can't be expressed by words or actions.
Mondo slips his hand into his own. I can take you there, if you wanna.
Taka gives him a squeeze in return. Please.
They drive out of town. The sun is barely peeking over the horizon, the streets are mostly quiet. They pass through peaceful neighborhoods with single-family homes, neat gardens and a few lit windows. They come across freshly placed identical houses, arranged in an orderly pattern, a developing area. Then suddenly, the scenery changes.
The land is flat and routed, the road is newly tarred. Construction sites, machines and scaffolds appear in their view. Mondo turns right to the second row of lots and shortly after, right again into a gravel driveway. When Mondo kicks up the stand, Kiyotaka is already off the bike and has stowed away his helmet.
Mouth agape, he is staring at the naked facades and the stripped roof. The holes for doors and windows are yet to be filled, the unfinished building still surrounded by metal rods and wooden planks. He shudders as Mondo's arm winds around his lower back. Wanna go inside?
Their steps echo, Kiyotaka is leading the way. The floors are bare concrete, the support beams are visible. Still, Kiyotaka sees a hallway, sees a staircase up and down, sees that the rooms in the back are open to the outside, the sunlight dipping the gray in red, sees water and gas connections sticking out. He sees that Mondo has a vision. A vision of a future.
This house is not rented, it's not bought, it is built. It's their house. Their dreams, their wishes, their promises are stored within these walls. Mondo never abandons his vows. This is their home, from now until they're old and gray and nothing is left of them.
Kiyotaka turns to Mondo who isn't looking at the floors, the walls, or the ceiling. He is looking back at him with absentminded adoration and all logic, all concern leaves Kiyotaka. There is no other way their future can go. Marry me.
Mondo's breath hitches.
You've built this house for us, you're- Mondo, you're part of every future I imagine, all the plans I make, I intent to realize them by your side, Mondo, I-
Kiyotaka's mouth opens and closes, brain lapping his tongue, he is helpless. There is nothing else I can do.
All of Mondo yearns to scream yes, pick him up, hold him close, shower him with kisses and every word of affection that he knows and smother him with yeses until his breath won’t let him anymore. But not now.
Hey, Taka.
Mondo puts his hand on Kiyotaka's shoulder and he relaxes under his touch yet his lips tremble with dedication to keep his sturdy features. Mondo starts to speak, That's-
but a grin cracks his voice apart, he lets his head fall, chuckles, and wipes his mouth, the grin doesn't vanish entirely.
Taka.
It sounds hushed and heavy. To steady his hold, Mondo grabs both of Ishimaru's shoulders and shifts in his stand. Mondo lifts his head; tears are sullenly brimming over Kiyotaka's eyes. I love you so much.
Mondo's hands move to cup the other's cheeks. But we can't just jump into things like that. We both know that. And 'sides, I don't even have the money for that right now. I had to take on a loan for the construction and all.
I know,
Kiyotaka sighs. But I felt like I would burst if I didn't say it.
Mondo strokes his finger along Taka’s jaw. I get that.
He places his lips on Taka’s forehead and nuzzles his nose into his hair.
But when everything’s ready...
Mondo retreats and takes a deep and shaky inhale. How Taka just managed to break that out like nothin’… he’s amazing. When everything’s ready, then yeah, I’ll marry you.
He tears up on the last words and hears his voice pitch up and he tows his boyfriend into a long, long kiss. Kiyotaka winds his arms around Mondo’s neck and moves their bodies closer into a tight embrace, he leans in deeper, feels Mondo’s tears dampen his already wet cheeks and a sob forces him to break away. Kiyotaka laughs into his crying, he manages to mingle a soft Mondo
in between before connecting their lips once again.
It takes a while until their tears dry up, until Kiyotaka runs out of words and until Mondo finds his again. The ride home is silent and slow, gathering up concentration is an effort with Taka wonderfully heavy on his back and the events of today in his mind.
Back at their apartment, Mondo excuses himself to their bedroom for a moment. He opens up the wardrobe, reaches inside to his old coat and fingers out the content of its pocket. It’s pointless to bring it out now but Mondo enjoys the tingling of another secret in his chest as he regards the tiny red velvet box.
Soon.