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When Leon asked Kazuichi if he was okay with a public proposal, the mechanic was.. admittedly hesitant. His boyfriend is over the top, dramatic in everything he does, but sweet beyond belief and loves Kazuichi to the moon and back. Frankly, he doesn’t know why he had said yes. Maybe it was because Leon asked when they were both curled up in bed, snuggly and secure in each other’s arms. During that moment, he felt *safe.* The fear and anxiety of the judgement from others didn’t scare him at that moment. So, like an idiot, he said yes. However, he should’ve thought that through a little more- After all, the baseball playoffs are happening right now, and Leon was on one of the last remaining teams. They started with sixteen teams in the playoffs, now down to four. Soon, it’ll be just two.
And right now? He was sitting in the stands during one of the most important games of the season. This game would determine if Leon’s team, the Hanshin Tigers, would make it to the final game of the season.
Kazuichi was sitting in the stands, a smile on his face as he watched his boyfriend play. They were in the final inning, Leon's team clearly having the upper hand in the situation. Not that Kazuichi was surprised, he knew the skills his boyfriend had. It’s to be expected. If they get a home run, it's game over for the other team, and with his boyfriend about to bat? He had no doubt in his mind they would win. Of course, it probably helped that Kazuichi had finally managed to convince Leon to attend practice, with the promise of spoiling him once he returns. On especially tough days, he always carefully held Leon’s arms and sung to him until he fell asleep. Those nights were some of his favorites.
The mechanic watched intently, the chilly night air not bothering him, as the blinding stadium lights lit the surrounding area. The cheers of fans could be heard all around him, which didn't bother him as much as they did before- However, despite that, he did have on a pair of noise cancelling headphones. A present Leon had given him before he went to attend one of his boyfriend’s games, allowing him to adjust how loud the noise around him was when he had them on. He nearly cried when Leon showed them how they worked, but also partly because he was caught off guard by the gift. He was constantly treated as though his disorders were a nuisance to everyone else, so having someone willing to help without even asking? He felt so treasured that day.
Kazuichi watched intently as the pitcher winded back his arm, the man clearly focusing- After all, he was up against the ultimate baseball player. Facing off against Leon had gotten a variety of reactions, the mechanic having time to observe each of them. Some of them seemed frightened, others got cocky only for it to bite them in the ass, but most reacted like the man currently pitching. An intense focus, hoping to find some sort of weak spot in order to gain the upper hand.
They never did.
"HOME RUN!"
Kazuichi cheered as he heard the announcement over the speakers, and watching Leon run around the plates made a smile form on the mechanic’s lips as he excitedly flapped his hands close to his chest. A rush of emotions ran through him- Pride, excitement, glee. Tears formed in his eyes, feeling both overwhelmed and yet somehow underwhelmed by the sudden rush of incoming feelings. Maybe it was because he wasn't slotted in Leon's arms, holding him close and celebrating another game won, or perhaps it was because he wanted to gently hold his boyfriend's face in his hands as he pressed a tender kiss to his lips- Soft, sweet, gentle, and full of love. Or maybe more excited, erratic kisses; Peppered across Leon's cheeks and face until they started laughing together. He isn't sure which option he wants most right now, if he's honest.
The mechanic carefully turned off his headphones as the crowd winded down, carefully setting them inside his backpack, only to look up at the speaker’s in confusion as he heard them making another announcement- A different one then what they normally would play.. ”Before we give the closing statements, Leon Kuwata wished to have everyone’s attention for a moment.”
“..Holy shit, he didn’t-”
Leon very much did. In hindsight, Kazuichi should’ve seen this one coming.
Watching Leon grab the microphone made his heart stop in his chest, Kazuichi stood with baited breath as the speakers switched over to pick up the audio from the device in his boyfriend's hand. He carefully stood, zipping on his backpack and slipping it on. He had a feeling he wouldn't be going back to his seat, and frankly? He didn't want to lose the expensive items inside- Namely, his phone and headphones. Also the backpack itself, but mainly because it was a spare of Leon's, so it was custom made to have the Hanshin Tigers theme. He really didn't want any of it stolen.
“So uh- Sorry for the holdup everyone, but I got a really important announcement to make. Actually, more like a question to pop, but I have a feeling the person i’m about to ask saw this one coming.” Kazuichi heard Leon’s voice ring out from the speakers mounted around the stadium, eyes trained on his boyfriend as he stood in the stands. It was obvious Leon was nervous- Or, well, at least to his boyfriend of two years. Seeing the baseball star rock back and forth on his feet, fiddling with a little black box in his hand. He has no idea how Leon was able to ask this with so many eyes on him, then again, his confidence always seemed to skyrocket levels above Kazuichi’s own. “Can Kazuichi Souda come down here real quick, please?”
Kazuichi took a deep breath as eyes turned to face him, feeling his cheeks flush a bright pink. He noticed how people quickly cleared the way so it was easier for him to pass by, quietly thanking them as he rushed to make his way down to the field. Of course, he was also careful not to trip- Holding onto the railing as he ran down the steps, not willing to risk it. Right now he didn't have time to trip. He needed to see his boyfriend. Although, he had a feeling he wouldn’t be calling him boyfriend for much longer..
Hopping onto the field was easy, even with the ten or so foot drop. It was a practiced motion, something he had grown use to doing while visiting Leon during practice. He was always too lazy to go to the stairs, so instead would just slip through the fence and hop down the wall. It's something both Leon and his team have seen Kazuichi do practically a hundred times before, always coming to watch Leon practice. Sometimes he was there for the whole thing, sometimes only the end of it, but he always showed up unless he was sick or working. Mainly just because he enjoyed seeing Leon doing something he was passionate about, the way his lover's eyes lit up in excitement every time he hopped down making his heart flutter in his chest.
This time was no different.
Slipping through the bars on the fence, Kazuichi hopped down onto the field, ignoring the whistles and the few encouraging cheers he heard ringing out. It became nothing more than background noise, especially when he was standing just a few feet away from Leon- A person who managed to steal his breath away every time their eyes met. He took a deep breath before he spoke, cooling his nerves. No time to stumble over his words or stutter through them tonight- This is important. “H- Hey Kuwa. What’s up?”
..Okay, maybe he might stutter a little bit.
“Hey, Kazzy baby- I have somethin’ important to ask ya.” When Leon spoke, his voice was soft- Yet, even without the help of the speakers, he could hear it perfectly. The soothing tone practically wiped away his worries and anxieties, brushing them away into the back of his mind. Tears began to slowly roll down his cheeks as Leon got down on one knee, his once soft smile turning into a full on grin. They both know exactly where this is going. “We’ve known each other for years now- Ever since I laid my eyes on you during my first day at Hope’s Peak, I knew you were the one, as cheesy as that sounds. I treasured every second I got to spend with you, even when we were still just friends, because I knew it would only be a matter of time before we got where we are now- I didn’t know where or how i’d ask, I just knew I was gonna, so.. Kazuichi, will you marry me?”
"Babe, just saying, when you asked me if I was okay with a public proposal I really should've seen this coming." Kazuichi said with a shaky giggle, taking a deep breath as Leon held out the box and flipped it open. Unlike the rather extravagant proposal, the ring itself was simple. The band was silver, twisting and curling to create a nest for a small diamond. The jewel was gorgeous, sparkling under the bright stadium lights, but if you asked Leon about the most beautiful thing that night? His answer would’ve been the shine in Kazuichi’s eyes as he smiled.
"But.. I don't give a damn where you propose- Hell, I wouldn't care if you asked me right as we rolled out of bed, because no matter where it happens.. it'll have you. That on it's own makes it perfect.” Kazuichi started, and for a moment? He forgot there were thousands of eyes in the stadium watching them, he forgot about the millions of eyes at home watching them through a screen. Right now..? It’s just them. Just two idiots in love, standing under the stars shining bright in the night skies above their heads. “So.. yeah. I would love to marry you, and i'm counting down the seconds until I get to call you my husband."
With that, reality kicked back in- Leon was quick to turn off the microphone, stopping the loudspeakers placed around the stadium from picking up on their conversation, to which Kazuichi was thankful. After all, the startled yelp that slipped past his lips when the crowd erupted in cheering was not something he needed anyone else to hear. Despite that, however, he couldn’t help but laugh at himself. He felt the cold metal band of the ring slip into his finger, the microphone being set onto the ground off to the side. Before Kazuichi could ask why, he was quickly scooped up into his boyfri- No, his fiance’s arms, his own looping around Leon’s neck for security.
He wasn’t surprised when he felt Leon’s lips against his own, Kazuichi’s eyes slipping shut as he allowed himself to relax and enjoy the moment. He carefully unhooked one of his arms from around his Lover’s neck, instead using it to cup his cheek, savoring this moment between them. As it turns out, a tender and loving kiss while being held in the safety of Leon’s arms is what he needed, the odd mixed feelings between being overwhelmed and underwhelmed finally turning into pure joy. One he’s planning on savoring.
Carefully, Kazuichi pulled away from the kiss, eyes fluttering open as he rested his forehead against Leon’s own. He took a deep breath, the smile on his lips refusing to go away, and judging by the look in his lover’s eyes? He was having the same issue, if you can even call it that. “So uh.. That too much?”
“Depends, can we get ice cream on the way home?” Kazuichi asked, snickering.
“Fuck yeah we can, babe. I’ll get you all the ice cream in the world, just you watch.”
..
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”