Archive of Our Own

Shiny gold twinkles in the red light of the summer sunset bathing the room and reflects itself in a matching hue inside Keigo’s wide eyes.

Keigo has always liked everything that glitters. Everything that sparks bright, feeding on the rarest source of light to illuminate the world and preserve it from its darkness.

Here, the golden ring slips through his finger, delicately guided by Touya’s index and thumb, cold metal warming instantly at skin’s contact.

The question is still ringing inside his head, echoing endlessly like an enchanting spell.

Will you marry me?

Keigo said yes - he did, right?

Probably. Why would he ever say no?

It’s weird how he didn’t see it coming despite the many hints. The fancy dinner, the date set on the same day they started going out 10 years ago and Touya’s obvious nervousness as soon as they came home.

Keigo’s body is tingling all over and his heart beats in his ears, making it hard not to just faint from overwhelm.

He’s pretty sure that tears are filling his eyes by now because Touya’s blushing face is all blurred, turquoise veiled.

Blinking them away at best, Keigo reaches out to his boyfriend’s face - should he say fiancé now? - cupping his cheeks.

So warm. Touya has always been more comforting than a fireplace in freezing winter. Keigo’s breath hitches with the need to get lost in that familiar warmth and his expression must’ve been enough for Touya to get the message because he surges forward, crashing his lips against Keigo’s in a relieved sigh. One kiss follows another one and it quickly turns into something more heated, with hurried touches, both of them tugging on clothes and hair with each other’s name whispered between gasps until they finally reach the bedroom.

Keigo feels like his heart is going to explode. Feels like he’s going to burn and be reborn over and over again. His feathers vibrate in pleasure, wings flapping against the mattress in pace with Touya’s mind blowing thrusts, one hand tucked under one of Keigo’s knees, the other squeezing the hand blessed with the golden ring, fingers perfectly intertwined, lost in each other’s eyes.

Don’t let go of me.

Keigo can’t voice it out properly. All he can do is moan, and whine, and cry out, washed over pleasure. It doesn’t matter anyway. Touya is the only person capable of understanding him without having to talk.

Keigo can’t keep track of how many times they manage to hit their orgasm before collapsing into each other’s arms, exhausted but satiated.

Sleep comes heavy as the blanket is pulled over their linked bodies, and the distant ring of his phone is quickly - and easily - ignored.

*

Next morning, Touya catches Keigo slapping himself in the face while facing the bathroom’s mirror.

“I wanted to be sure it wasn’t my imagination.” Keigo tries to justify himself, a blush creeping on his cheeks and instantly covering the red mark he got from the hit. It makes Touya burst out laughing, aggravating his boyfriend’s flustered state.

Not his fault. Keigo woke up in panic, alone in the bed, with the horrible sensation of being kicked from the best dream he ever had. Upon seeing his upset expression, Touya hugs him from behind and Keigo pushes his wings apart for him to settle even closer, the expanse of Touya’s chest matching the curves of Keigo’s back in a puzzle of mismatched tones of skin - perfection .

“You’ve got a nice proof on your hand, what more do you want?” Touya whispers in his ear before planting a kiss just below it. Keigo swallows back a quiet moan, feeling suddenly pretty turned on as Touya’s beautiful cat eyes are staring at his reflection as if he was the most enticing thing ever.

“I will brew some coffee, care to join me for breakfast, future M. Todoroki? I even made pancakes.”

Keigo’s heart misses a beat and he instinctively plays with his engagement ring, twirling it around his finger.

“Hum.”

When Touya pulls back to leave the room, Keigo thinks that it may be for the best since he was this close to skip breakfast and drag his boyfriend for a heated shower.

Instead, he splashes his face with cold water - get a grip - and stares once more at his left hand. Touya really went all out with this. The ring looks like it costs a kidney - or maybe two. A small voice inside points out that it may be too fancy for someone like him but Keigo discards it with a shake of the head.

No spoiling the moment, they have so many things to do, so much to think about.

The first topic being brought on the table as soon as Keigo climbs on a barstool is the wedding date. He’s stuffing his face with pancakes, barely swallowing his mouthful to argue when Touya rejects the idea of a summer wedding.

“It’s going to be a living hell underneath that tuxedo and I’m already a walking furnace by nature. Do you really want me to smell like a pig during this eventful day?” It makes Keigo almost snort out his coffee.

“It won’t stop me from eating your sweaty ass at night I promise.” He grins at the cute pinkish hue dusting Touya’s cheeks before getting knocked on the head by a rolled-up newspaper. “Hey! That hurt!”

“Serves you right.”

His phone chimes, cutting out the pouting act Keigo has started to display as revenge and he quickly turns it off without answering.

“Who was it?” Touya asks, eyeing Keigo’s phone’s screen with curiosity.

“Nothing important.” He waves his hand in the air, turning the engine off before pocketing it. His attention falls on the newspaper where he catches sight of a familiar face printed on it. “It’s Sho-kun!”

Touya leans in as Keigo unfolds the newspaper on the counter, revealing a nice picture of the new pro-hero, next to his partners. Their recent debut made the headlines, spreading rumors about Endeavor’s incoming retirement. Of course, it didn’t spare Touya and Keigo from having a few more journalists coming at them for intel. Not that they would ever feed them. The Todoroki family still fascinates the country and it’s hard to catch a break sometimes.

“Eh… I’m amazed at how my brother can actually work together with that edgy pomeranian along with his own green marshmallow boyfriend without, y’know, breaking a few nerves.” Touya points out.

“Guess he’s way more patient than you. Besides, Bakugou-kun kinda reminds me of you at the same age.”

“Bullshit.”

Keigo chuckles. “You’re cute when you’re angry.”

“Then I’m about to be extremely cute right now.”

“Do your worst.”

As soon as Touya rounds the counter, Keigo jumps off his seat and they both engage in some sort of tag game except that Touya keeps the ‘it’ role and Keigo has to take another shower after his loss, for some reasons .

*

Planning a wedding is so fucking exhausting.

Firstly because there are obviously a ton of decisions to make and agreements come with compromises from both sides - which means: arguing.

Once finally settled on a date for next Spring, they begin to dress the guest list. And that’s where things get more complicated.

“Keigo, we can’t invite all the top ten heroes, it’s a wedding, not a crisis meeting about terrorism.”

“They’re our friends Touya…”

“Rectification: they are your friends.”

“Don’t be so stingy, there will be at least four generations of your family.”

“Only three. Stop exaggerating.”

“ Four . Can’t believe you forgot about your own niece. Gonna snitch on you to Fuyumi-chan.”

Touya rolls his eyes at Keigo then gets back to the prototype list, looking at the few names that have already been crossed. A mischievous grin grows on his face as he taps his pen on the paper.

“We can get rid of my father’s presence if you want.” He suggests, wiggling his eyebrows.

Keigo slaps his shoulder with a chiding look. Having one shitty father stuck in prison is already enough, Keigo would be more than happy to find himself a decent father-in-law at least.

Within a few hours, the list gets narrowed from two hundred people to eighty - which is a miracle - and the next fight revolves around the seating plan.

Keigo gives up on trying to change Touya’s mind on everything from that moment.

For obvious reasons, they choose not to give out any hint of their engagement to the public. Keigo carefully hides the ring under his leather gloves, purposely taking it off during photoshoots.

They have Natsuo and Rumi over for dinner one evening and the announcement of their upcoming wedding causes a total breakdown. Rumi pulls them both into a bear crushing hug while crying - for real, Keigo never saw her like that. Natsuo can’t seem to wipe off the stupid smile off his face but to be honest, the teary-eyed look he has as soon as Touya asks him to be his best man is the most lovely thing they see tonight.

Once the close family is briefed with the events, Touya starts to introduce his future husband to the rest of the Todoroki. And he wasn’t exaggerating about it being extra large. They meet with so many of them Keigo has to doodle a family tree on a note, keeping it in his pocket as a cheat sheet to pull out in the bathroom when needed.

“Wait a minute, I thought she was your Mom’s brother’s daughter, but she’s not your cousin?” Keigo slips discreetly into Touya’s ear during one of those endless family gatherings they’re attending.

“Technically not. My uncle got remarried at least three times and his current wife already had children, she’s one of them.” Touya whispers back, raising his glass to her across the table. Keigo plasters on his best smile but he’s internally screaming.

“Man, I know my brain’s good, but I’m about to have a serious headache here…” He complains, putting up a false front as they share a toast. Touya snorts in his glass, amused.

“Relax, they won’t eat you.”

Keigo wonders about that. Until then, he always made quite a good impression - thanks to his hero status. So far, everybody’s been very welcoming but it’s becoming a bit overwhelming for him.

They usually ask a bunch of questions, try to pry further than Keigo is comfortable to share. He tries to dodge any topic that would lead into dangerous territory but he can’t stop people from being curious.

Touya is out of sight when one of his many aunts (lady Katsumi, or so Keigo assumes based on his note) corners him in one of the many rooms of the Todoroki household after dinner.

“You said your name was Ukai, right? It’s pretty common. What are your parents doing for a living?” She smells of cologne and it makes Keigo’s eyes sting.

“Oh… My mother works as a humble gardener.” He says in a twisted smile, praying for her to let him go with that. A confused expression passes on her face, one she politely trades for an acknowledging hum.

“How about your father?”

Keigo’s heart beats in his throat, all alarms set in his head. He doesn’t doublethink before blurting out an answer.

“He’s dead.” Isn’t it all the same anyway?...

Aunt Katsumi’s eyes widen briefly in horror, her palm flying up to cover her mouth.

“Oh no! I’m so sorry for your loss...”

“Don’t be, it’s been a long time already.” Keigo tries very hard not to let those distant memories emerge from the deepest part of his head. Memories of broken glass on the floor. Of rough and abusive hands caked with blood…

“But I’m sure he would be proud of what you became.”

Keigo swallows the lump blocking his throat.

Probably not.

He’s still standing here while an awkward silence settles between them when a warm hand grips his shoulder.

“Aunty, don’t bully him too much.” Touya comes to the rescue and Keigo wants nothing else than to grab his hand then run away together.

Aunt Katsumi graces her delicate features with a small pout, “I’m not!” She playfully slaps her nephew’s arm before giving Keigo a courtesy bow. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Keigo-kun. You seem to be one fine man, even underneath the hero mask. Which is quite rare.” She winks at him then makes her way to the garden and Keigo’s shoulders finally slump.

“You alright there?” Touya slides one arm around his waist, concerned.

Keigo squeezes his hand in answer. “I’m fine… Just a bit tired.”

“Let’s go back home early then.” Touya proposes, dropping a light kiss on his temple.

Keigo would like to argue that sleep is hard to come at night while his head is spinning with decisions to make and hero work to manage all the same.

Recently, he has to bite down a sudden bout of negativity from time to time that he blames on pressure and tiredness whenever Touya points it out.

And once again that night, Keigo coaxes Touya with white lies, forcing his smiles on his face to wipe off his boyfriend’s worried look.

His phone keeps on ringing when he leads them both to the bedroom, eager to dissip whatever started to storm inside his messed-up head.

It will be ok...

*

It’s Touya’s own ringtone that resonates first in the room the next day, sunlight hitting through the curtains and pulling out a tired complaint from Keigo’s mouth.

To his greatest disappointment, the mattress springs up at his side and the delicious warmth he’s been encompassed into for the past hours fades away with the phone’s tantrum. 

"Touuu…” Some feathers come off from Keigo’s wings, poking at Touya’s hips and wrapping themselves around his waist to pull him back next to him. “C’back heeeeere…"

Touya fights back the pressure of the feathers and Keigo feels himself pouting. They’re finally on vacation for a week, what is Touya up so early for? Keigo would’ve loved to lay down all day long or loiter around in nothing but his briefs, asking for his favorite homemade omurice.

"It’s your mother." Touya says quietly.

"What?" Keigo blinks his heavy eyelids, brain catching on the information. Touya is sitting on the edge of the bed - his naked back covered in scratches Keigo would gladly kiss until they disappear - and his fingers are dancing on his phone’s screen.

Ugh.

Keigo props himself on his elbows and crawls his way to Touya, leaning his chin on his boyfriend’s thigh to look up at him.

“Why did she text you?” Turquoise eyes quickly drift to meet Keigo’s gold with a hint of accusation.

“Because you’re not answering her calls.”

Keigo knows where this conversation will probably lead to, and he’s so not in the mood for this. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever .

“We were kinda busy…” He trails off with a sheepish smile. To get Touya’s attention back on something more entertaining to his liking, he lets his mouth wander up Touya’s arm, kissing it all the way to his shoulder while his fingers start tracing his abs. He’s almost reached his neck when Touya squirms away and grabs Keigo’s hand before it could venture further down.

“Kei, it seems like you didn’t talk to her for weeks, she sounded worried in her texts, as in plural.” Touya frowns at him and Keigo pulls back with a huff. 

“She’s always exaggerating. I’ll call her back.” He rants, waving one hand in the air. Touya stands up in a sigh and walks to the bathroom’s door.

“Do it. Now.” He shoots him a scolding look above his shoulder before closing the door shut. Keigo is left alone on the bed, gaping, until he hears the water running down in the shower. 

A quick look at his phone laying on the nightstand is enough for Keigo to see all the missed calls’ notifications. Some guilt twists his stomach but he shrugs it off by burying himself under the bedsheets, closing his eyes to the welcoming darkness.

He’s too tired for this.

But maybe he will see her this afternoon. Since it matters so much to Touya…

*

Keigo’s mother still lives in the same tiny apartment they shared during his childhood - after they moved from his father’s place.

It’s not so far from the primary school where Touya and him met and Keigo has to walk across the park where they used to play as kids to reach the right street. He never went there by air. And never while wearing his hero outfit, preferring to shed his feathers in his backpack to stay incognito.

Growing up along the Todoroki gave Keigo plenty of reasons to keep his private life the most hidden possible from the public in general, be it the fans or paparazzis. Keigo’s mother - Tomie - never had a stable mental health to begin with. Guess it comes with the abuse and her own disastrous childhood. Keigo doesn’t know his grandparents nor his uncles and aunts, and his mother has always told him that it was for the best so he didn’t pry any further. She always assured him that they were enough to make a family on their own, as small as it was with just the two of them.

Keigo adjusts his cap on his way too noticeable golden locks and climbs up the stairs leading to the second floor. The building is old and the walls have lost their whiteness but the neighborhood is pretty calm and safe. Keigo stops at the door where the name ‘Ukai’ had been written in cursive letters the first day they arrived with their arms full of the few boxes filled with their possessions. The ink is smudged, victim of the rainy weather.

Keigo takes a deep breath in and knocks on the door.

In less than five seconds, he hears hurried footsteps from the inside, things being knocked on the way and bouncing on the hallway in the rush. Then, the door slams open, revealing the face of the middle-aged woman, her messed-up red hair looking like a nest made of Keigo’s own feathers and her brown eyes highlighted by dark circles light up at once.

“Kei!” She throws her arms around him with so much force it makes Keigo take a step backward. Her crippled chocolate-coloured wings flutter in her back as she pushes her face into her son’s neck and Keigo feels crushed by her overwhelming display of affection. He gives a few pats on her head, struggling to breathe under her embrace.

“M-mom, stop being so dramatic, you know I’m alive, you see me every day on TV...”

After a minute of having his lungs emptied of their air, Keigo finally manages to free himself from his mother’s arms.

“But you’re more handsome in the flesh, right?” She smiles at him as if she saw the sun for the first time and cups his face into her rough palms damaged by her daily gardening work.

Time hasn’t been kind to her. Wrinkles are slowly erasing the days when she was running after him in those worn-out silky dresses. Now, she no longer wears second-hand clothes but anxiety and sickness made her gain a bit of weight.

“I’m so happy you’re here, you can’t even imagine!”

Another pang in his heart. Keigo gives her a quiet “Me too”, before leading them both inside.

The threshold is covered in dirt, shoes tossed around, and Keigo can’t help but rearrange them with a sigh before making his way to the living room.

It’s still the same old leather couch, the same wooden table, the same peeled wallpaper. There is only one bedroom and until Keigo got old enough to insist that he could sleep on the couch to spare his mother the daily back pain, she had been dedicated to build the most comfortable nest she could out of her few belongings. A few framed pictures of them are exposed on the buffet, next to a plush of him - one of the first merch that came out after his debut. Keigo’s lips curl up in an amused smile, remembering how embarrassed he was when she first bought it.

“I just made some tea, would you like some?”

Keigo hums, pulling a chair to sit at the table while his mother brings him a cup and the teapot. She sits across from him, reaching out to caress his right cheek with a thumb, just under the eye.

“You look a bit tired, how’s work going?”

Keigo brings his palm above the one framing his face, leaning into the touch. “As always, I guess.”

“How about Touya-kun? I haven’t seen him in a while… Ah, wait! I actually bought something for him...” She stands up at once, disappearing into the kitchen.

“Mom, you didn’t have to…” Keigo whines but her excitement is too great for him to ruin it. She comes back to drop a pocket-sized candy bag on the table, beaming.

“I remember Rei-san telling me that he liked caramel and I found those in a specialized shop. It’s salted butter caramel, to be precise. They told me it was a French thing.”

Keigo hesitantly takes the candy bag, looking at the see-through packaging. They look a lot like the ones Touya used to bring at their primary school, when they were small kids playing heroes in the park next door. Back then, they would use them for stupid bets, Touya keeping the strawberries ones only for himself as much as he could. In the end, they would still share the caramels, hidden under the helter-skelter of the park. Keigo was spending most of his time away from home, like a runaway, but his mother never complained ever once. Instead, she seemed more than elated about Keigo finally having a decent childhood.

“Thanks…”

Tomie hums around her cup.

“Talking about Rei-san, have you seen her recent improvements in painting? She’s so talented.”

Keigo offers her a fond smile.

“She is.” He admits. Todoroki Rei is starting to slowly make herself a name in the artistic world. Nothing too fancy, but it’s enough for her to sell a few pieces. One of them is hanging on the wall above the TV, a gift for Tomie’s birthday, picturing a sea landscape bathing in the warm sunset. A soothing piece, made especially for her.

His eyes sweep across the room and widen instantly as he catches sight of the coffee table, littered with opened letters.

“Mom, those bills…” He looks at her suspiciously.

“Ah… It’s nothing. They increased the rent’s price last month and I may have forgotten to pay, silly me!” She says it like it’s a joke but her mouth twitches, deforming her smile.

“How about the money I gave you?”

“The doctor took it all.”

“What?!”

“But he said I’m getting better! That’s why I increased the number of sessions. See, I did my shopping in a jam-packed mall last time, without breaking down!”

Sure, it’s a massive improvement. She always had to stay rather far from the other parents whenever she waited for him to leave school and had to run errands during off-peak hours to avoid any potential crisis.

Keigo heaves out a sigh.

“I will transfer you some extra money.”

“No.” Tomie straightly says, furrowing her brow. “You’ve done enough. I don’t want it.”

Why is she making it so difficult? Keigo racks his hand through his hair.

“Listen…”

“I said no.” She cuts him, uncharacteristically bossy. Her brown feathers are vibrating in her back. “I’m a grown-up adult Keigo, with a job that I love for once, so I will take my own responsibilities. You take yours and go save the world.”

Keigo clenches his jaw. He can’t win against her. Despite her fragile looks, she’s the one from whom Keigo inherited his stubbornness. He wants to argue that a hero who can’t help his own family isn’t worthy of saving the world and that he has so much money now it makes him uncomfortable but he knows that this conversation will lead to a dead end.

“... Fine.” He rubs both hands on his tired face when a clatter echoes in the room.

“T-That ring!” His mother stood up so fast she knocked her chair, “Don’t tell me?!...” She’s looking back and forth from the jewel to Keigo’s eyes, realization kicking in.

Oh God .

Her screeching is so loud Keigo has to protect his ears with his palms.

“When did that happen?!” She grabs his left hand, looking at the ring with stars in her eyes. Keigo scratches the back of his neck with his free hand.

“Uuuh… Quite recently.” It’s half a lie, but he can’t tell her it’s already been a few weeks since Touya’s proposal. He feels too bad about it.

“I am so happy for both of you!” 

Her genuine expression is enough for Keigo to give him one last punch on the stomach, guilt slowly but surely seeping inside like poison.

“I am, too.” His voice is hollow, and his heart sinks.

*

This evening, Keigo doesn’t talk much through dinner. Neither does he manage to eat more than a few mouthfuls, despite Touya’s dedication to put on display his best cooking skills.

Of course, Keigo blames it on their recent increase of work when Touya looks at his (still full) plate with insistence.

Every attempt at conversation dies off with Keigo’s lack of involvement no matter the subject and although he doesn’t pry yet, Keigo catches his boyfriend eyeing him curiously from time to time, as if to check on his current mood.

As to get himself busy enough to avoid any question, Keigo decides to review some of the many wedding preparations.

On the other hand, Touya is fumbling inside the candy bag Keigo left on the counter. He occasionally lets out a satisfied hum after stuffing caramels inside his mouth.

“God, your Mom is truly the sweetest.” He says, playing with the tricolor ribbon decorating the package. Keigo’s fingers twitch at that.

She is . 

And she deserved better...

“Oh, how about France for our honeymoon? I know that Hawaï was on the list but I find it a tad boring to be honest.” Touya goes on with upbeat enthusiasm. 

“Uh-hum…” Keigo barely spares him a glance, his nose stuck on the wedding menu. A headache is starting to bury needles behind his eyes.

Touya raises one eyebrow at him. “Well, that’s not the reaction I was expecting.”

This does earn a reaction though, and Keigo shoots his boyfriend a glare, “Can’t you see I’m already trying to focus on something?”

“I thought you were good at multitasking?” Touya deadpans.

“Maybe not as much as you think I am.“ Keigo brushes him off, his tone bitter than usual.

Fuck, he shouldn’t be so on edge over everything…

Touya throws him a questioning look but Keigo silently stands up, unceremoniously tossing the pile of papers on the coffee table. “Sorry, I feel a bit tired, can we talk about this later?”

For once, it’s not a lie. But as soon as Keigo gets past the couch, Touya yanks his wing, making him cry out at the sudden pain shot through his already abused brain.

“Ow! What’s wrong with you?!” He spins around, flaring out his wings menacingly. Touya is studying his face, unimpressed. He cocks his head to the side as he says, impassible: “I’m not the one running away from his problems.”

Keigo feels his jaw drop.

It’s the pot calling the kettle back, for real.

“Oh please, shut the fuck up.” He huffs, pulling at his hair. His wings are itching to get off and to be honest, the cold winter breeze would probably help as a good slap. He shakes his head, "Forget it, I'm going out..."

With that idea in mind, he practically runs to the balcony and grabs the handle of the bay window but he’s pulled backward by the wing once again before he could even open it.

“Keigo, wait!”

But Keigo doesn’t want to wait. He wants Touya to give him some space to rest, some space to think through everything because he feels like a shaken-up soda can, waiting to be uncorked.

But it would be so unlikely of his dear boyfriend to ever let him off the hook.

So, as soon as Keigo turns around to tell him to fuck off , Touya pushes him against the closed window and slams both palms on the glass on each side of Keigo’s head.

“You’re the one who’s always there to poke at me whenever I have to face my own issues so don’t expect me to keep my eyes closed when it comes to yours.” Touya corners him, a rather pissed off expression wrinkling his forehead and scrunching his whole face.

“I don’t—”

“Don’t you dare lying to me. You’ve been behaving strangely for weeks and I’m done being patient. What the fuck is going on?” Touya’s jaw is set, his piercing gaze not leaving Keigo’s.

The ring feels heavy around his finger. Too heavy.

Keigo balls his hands into fists, gritting his teeth.

“I’m not like you.”

“... Come again?”

Keigo takes advantage of Touya’s puzzled state to push at his chest and free himself before starting to pace the room.

“I don’t have anything to give in exchange for everything you’ve done to me. I have no healthy family background, no fancy name... heck, the one I was born with is actually fucking cursed.” He stops, shaking his head. His voice breaks at the edges as he adds: “I don’t deserve your name, it would be a waste on me. Granted, it may be better if I don’t get too involved with your family.”

“What the hell are you talking ab—” Touya cuts himself, eyes growing wide with fear upon the realization. He surges forwards, grabbing Keigo’s wrist, and at tugs it to force their eyes to meet. “Wait, don’t tell me you’re reconsidering this wedding?...”

Keigo winces at the way Touya’s fingers are gripping further around him. Panic takes the best of him, but he summons enough courage to carry on.

“I love you Touya, more than anything else in the entire universe. And I will be more than elated to grow old with you by my side…”

“But?”

“But… It’s just… me . I’m like a shiny pebble you found in a sandbox: once you get past the looks, there is nothing else to it. Only plain and dull rock that belongs with other meaningful rocks. We’re not talking about some sort of childish fairytale here and I think… I think we’re about to make a mistake.”

Upon the shock, Touya lets go of his arm and takes a few steps back.

The cat is out of the bag and Keigo feels the dread twisting his stomach as he stares at Touya, studying his reaction. His mouth falls shut but Keigo catches him biting its inside.

I hurt him.

It’s the first thought that comes to his mind. He just buried a knife into Touya’s heart and he’s still holding the handle, ready to pull it out and let him bleed out.

Keigo expects his punishment to be greater than the pain he just inflicted to the person who trusts and loves him the most because, doesn’t he deserve it? Keigo just put an expiration date on their couple. As if he wasn’t believing in them.

Touya’s face contorts with some indescriptible anger while Keigo’s feet are glued to the floor. He can’t look him in the eyes anymore - it kills him as much as it kills Touya - so he stares at the clock hanging above the fridge, watching it move with every agonizing second ticking through the silence.

He should leave. Maybe call it a break. Keigo has the sudden urge to fly so far away he wouldn’t be able to lift his wings anymore - until collapsing into the ocean and getting swallowed by the waves.

He screwed up everything...

He doesn’t move when he hears Touya’s footsteps coming his way, and braces himself as blue sparks burst around.

His wings sag at his sides - he won’t fight back, whatever happens.

But as soon as Touya reaches him, he hoists Keigo on his shoulder who yelps in surprise.

“W-what the?!”

The room spins like a carousel and Keigo gasps at the harsh movements. Touya walks past the living room, leading them both toward the bedroom.

“T-Touya… w-wait!” Keigo flaps his wings around and starts kicking the air and punching at Touya’s back, yelling at him to let go, to no avail.

“Oh no I won’t. Not after hearing all this shit.” Touya growls and tosses Keigo on the bed before climbing on it. Keigo barely has the time to sit up when Touya forces him back on the mattress, one hand keeping both of his wrists above his head. He’s fulminating, a storm raging inside the turquoise sea of his eyes as he looks right into the gold of Keigo’s who stares back at him with a mix of disbelief and genuine fear.

Keigo truly wonders if this is finally the end of something they have been building together for more than ten years - twenty, if you consider that first pull at his wings like the beginning of the endless pining that led to their long lasting love - and he braces himself, ready to face the consequences. Part of him prays for it to be fast. He doesn’t know what a heartbreak feels like but he’s pretty sure it’s something that will leave him scarred for life because those feelings are already rooted too deep to be plucked out from his soul without it being a torture.

As Touya leans in, Keigo screws his eyes shut in anticipation - for what? He has no idea - but a loud gasp escapes him as he feels Touya’s mouth covering his neck with kisses .

Keigo’s whole body betrays him and arches against the bed, desperately bringing them together while a wild shiver runs down his spine. Is it what people call the last dance? Is it going to be some sort of vent sex?

It’s different to how Touya usually initiates something that will lead into sexy time though. It’s gentle. Careful. His free hand doesn’t go under the clothes, and he keeps his touches above the waistband. Every single one of his gestures is guided by some sort of comfort, and Keigo just can’t bear it.

He feels his throat tighten, his stomach clenches and his vision starts to get all blurry.

“Stop it!” He begs, squirms away, kicks at Touya’s back, throwing a tantrum with the way his wings whip the air like a wild bird who’s got caught in a net.

“Never in hell.” Touya’s labored breaths are hot against his skin, spreading goosebumps everywhere. He’s worshipping his body with soothing caresses, still devoid of any sexual intention, and Keigo’s head goes spinning. He tries to wiggle out, tears pricking his eyes.

“Tou-ya, p-please!”

Keigo would rather be either kicked in the guts or be fucked until numbness and without any gentleness right here right now than letting those traitorous tears spill from his eyes. Unfortunately for him, it’s not on Touya’s agenda. He’s caging Keigo with his arms and legs, his whole body draped over him like a deadweight - since when has Touya gotten that stronger? His face is pushed onto Keigo’s neck, next to his Adam’s apple.

“Shhh...” His voice vibrates against his skin, calm and composed.

Keigo freezes. Despite the confusion of his feelings and his dizzy head, he hears them - Touya’s words. But they’re not the hurtful ones he had expected, it’s not the ‘I hate you’, ‘you’re a monster’ or ‘we’re over' he wanted to hear. Instead, Touya started a liturgy of praises, whispering soft ‘easy dove’, 'it's okay’, ‘you’re doing good’ while nuzzling the soft spot below his ear.

Keigo whimpers. He doesn’t want this kindness, doesn’t deserve it. He tries to fight his own body, lost in a whirlwind of contradictory emotions.

“I love you.” It comes out like a spell and Keigo whines out loud, his pleading voice dying in a wave of incoming sobs surging up his throat.

It’s no use. He can’t deny it anymore.

“S-sorry…” The very moment those words get past his lips, it’s already too late to stop the flow of tears that starts to fall down his temples and on the bed sheets.

And then, he reaches it. His breaking point.

It’s like a geyser of restrained emotions finally bursting out all at once. His whole body is shaking uncontrollably and he’s not even aware he’s hyperventilating before Touya’s voice manages to reach him through his panic.

“I got you Kei, breathe deep.”

Keigo never had any emotional breakdown before. Nobody - himself included - ever gave him the room to express that much weakness and it’s scary how fragile his own voice sounds to his ears as he tries to speak despite the knot tearing his throat apart.

“I am… so sorry…” He apologizes at best between two waves of sobs. What for? He’s not so sure anymore, everything feels like it’s a mess right now. He didn’t know about the size of this horrible ball of frustration and sadness he’s been nurturing inside for weeks - years? - but he wants it gone. Wants to be released of this anxiety that he finds so misplaced and stupid, coming from him.

Because he should be happy. He should enjoy what everyone would kill to have while he always had it within reach. He feels like an ungrateful brat, unworthy of it.

Touya lets go of his wrists and Keigo instantly pulls his arms over his face, hiding his miserable state at best. A hiccup escapes him when he feels Touya’s fingers rubbing his scalp, untying the knots in the golden strands while his other hand cups his face and gently tilts it up.

“Hey, look at me.” Keigo shakes his head from side to side.

Touya’s warm lips are on his a second later. A feather-light kiss that ends too fast but gives so much. Keigo wants to chase after this mouth, to drink the love from it like his life depends on it - and maybe it is. He focuses on Touya’s frantic heartbeat, holding on to it.

And slowly, as minutes go by, the shaking diminishes and Keigo’s chest stops heaving with each breath. Touya keeps on kissing his face all the time until Keigo falls silent, his wet sniffing sometimes disturbing their peace.

Then, he rolls them on the mattress, pulling Keigo above him in a tight embrace, as if scared to let him go. The wings unfold themselves to rest on the bed on each side and Keigo rubs his teary face and runny nose on Touya’s shirt. It’s gross and adds to Keigo’s shame over the whole situation.

“Why didn’t you talk to me about it?...” Touya’s voice breaks through the quiet room. For the first time since the beginning of their fight, he sounds incredibly insecure.

Keigo sniffles again and shakes his head onto Touya’s chest.

“Because I was being ridiculous. I thought it was just a phase… That it would eventually pass...” Keigo feels the body under him tense as Touya clicks his tongue.

“For fuck’s sake Kei, you’re not being ridiculous, you’re just being human. You’re allowed to have doubts, to feel sad or even complain,” he tightens his embrace, “but you’re definitely not allowed to speak nor think of yourself like that. Not on my watch.”

It’s one of the most twisted compliments Keigo has ever had. A faint blush warms up his cheeks and he buries his face into the crook of Touya’s neck to hide it.

“... Frankly speaking, I’m scared.” He whispers near his ear, fisting his boyfriend’s tear-soaked shirt.

“Of what?” Touya’s hand traces the length of Keigo’s spine and it’s so soothing Keigo might break and cry again. Instead, he takes a deep and shaky breath in and props himself on his elbows, looking down at Touya’s worried yet beautiful face.

“I’m scared of not being able to live up to your expectations. Of you getting tired of me. Of us being a failure. I wouldn’t be able to survive this.” Keigo admits weakly, blinking a few tears that fall and slowly roll on Touya’s cheeks. His expression is quite the complexe one. It seems like he’s shifting between a dozen of them, from incredulity to building anger.

“I so want to kick your ass, you have no idea.” He says after a while, scrunching his face as if he was truly holding back to do so. The sight brings an unexpected smile to Keigo's face.

“Actually, you would do me a favor.”

Touya pinches at his hips, making Keigo strangle a high-pitched cry.

“When I proposed, I meant to embrace everything about you, not just your brightest sides. What’s important to me is for you to know that I will always be there for you, to share our vows. I want you Keigo. All of you. It was my choice. And I don’t give a damn about what people will say, they can go fuck themselves if they don’t approve of us. So don’t you dare assume that I won’t keep my promises until the end. And lastly... A wedding isn’t all about bearing the same name.”

“What—“

Touya silences him by putting his index across his open mouth.

“I got the hint that you wanted to keep your mother’s name. She’s important to you, right?” A thumb sweeps his cheek to brush off another tear and Keigo can’t help but pitifully nod.

“I don’t want to sever our ties. I’m the only person she has…” He says, leaning into Touya’s hand. If he wasn’t feeling so raw, he would purr and curl into his arms.

“That’s where you’re wrong. She’s stronger than you think she is and my family will be there for her too if you need some moral support. I mean, our mothers are calling each other every day.”

Keigo feels himself smiling as he adds: “Probably complaining about us,” and Touya chuckles at that.

“It’s their favorite past-time since we’re eight.” He assumes.

The idea of his mother attending the wedding is still weighing on his chest. He wonders if it won’t be too straining for her, with the potential crowd and all of this fanciness, so far away from her standards. And he’s worried about the looks people will give them. Keigo’s smile fades away at those thoughts and it’s all it takes for Touya to get the clue.

“Hey, it will be ok, I promise.” Touya bumps his nose against his before landing a kiss on his forehead. 

It’s unfair, he thinks, how it’s so easy for this man to kill every lingering darkness that tries to get a hold of his heart, like a steady flame.

“Thank you Tou…” His breath fans Touya’s face who flutters his eyelashes. They stare at each other for enough time to make Keigo’s heartbeat races. As if he was once again reading his mind, Touya rolls him on his side and cradles his face, leaning in, and Keigo meets him halfway, tilting up his chin to push his lips against Touya’s in a sigh. 

There . It’s where his heart belongs. Where he can sing the most beautifully.

Their tongues explore each other's mouths until leaving them panting and Keigo feels numb and incredibly at peace when they part, his half-lidded eyes stuck on Touya’s face, not wanting to let it fade away.

This happiness is a gift from the Heavens. One he’s allowed to have, against all odds. Better not let it go while it lasts.

They stay in this soothing silence for a while, occasionally sharing more touches and kisses before Touya speaks again.

“So… about the honeymoon?”

Keigo lets out a short chuckle. So predictable of him to be so fixed on the most stupid things.

“Hawaï that is.” He says before planting another kiss on his boyfriend’s lips.

Touya rolls his eyes. “Fuck, you’re so cliché.”

“You need to get that pale ass of yours properly tanned.” Keigo teases, lazily poking at Touya’s chest.

“You do love that pale ass of mine.”

Keigo’s eyelids are so heavy he barely hums an answer.

He feels too warm and far too tired to stay awake any longer. But the heavy burden on his chest seems to have been lifted off, to his relief.

*

The golden ring slides through Touya’s fingers, guided by Keigo’s trembling ones. Turquoise eyes shine through the beginning of happy tears and Keigo squeezes his lover’s hand.

He wonders if he even saw Touya being this emotional before - Keigo caught him secretly wiping a few tears all day long but chose not to comment on it - then again, he might not be so far from having his heart burst out his chest as well. His eyes fall on their linked hands, their matching rings glowing in the sunlight.

They’re doing that ‘until death do us part’ thingy, here, in a fancy yet elegant garden, framed by an arch decorated with floral emblems - Tomie’s idea and doing.

The wind blows, carrying away cherry blossom petals that slowly fall on their hair.

“You can kiss.”

Touya clears his throat and Keigo can feel his face flush bright red.

It occurs to him that they never kissed in public.

Keigo gives her mother a quick look from the corner of his eyes. She can’t stop crying. Thankfully, Rei provided enough tissues for two. Shouto came with Izuku. They wear matching navy blue suits and it’s actually pretty cute how their hands are searching for each other while nobody’s looking. Natsuo stands beside them, not denying the smile pulling at his lips, the few tears he’s been holding in fiercely are shining in his eyes. Enji doesn’t show as much emotion as usual but at least, there are no wrinkles on his face - which can be interpreted as a good sign. Fuyumi is holding onto her husband’s arm, her daughter tugging at her dress while getting herself on tiptoe to get a better look at the scene.

No cameras, no extra family, only the closest friends. After reviewing things together, they finally agreed on a small wedding, to Keigo’s relief.

Touya discreetly pulls at Keigo’s wing before sliding a hand up the back of his neck.

“No regrets?” He whispers, leaning in the short space separating them.

Keigo smiles, sliding an arm around his husband-to-be’s waist. “You wish.”

Then, they seal their love promise by bringing their mouths together in a kiss that reveals itself to be even more chaste than their first one, but so full of meaning that Keigo feels his knees buckle.

The little crowd cheers and Rumi’s obnoxious whistle resonates above it. Always so shameless.

Touya ignores them all respectfully and kisses him again, slow and tender, not pulling back until Keigo breaks it to bring their foreheads together.

“To our happily ever after, I guess?”

Touya’s eyes glint with a hint of amusement.

“It’s not the end yet, dove, only the beginning of something better.”

Keigo lets out a joyful chirp.

And they will fight for it to remain as perfect as it can.

It will be ok, as long as they try and do believe in it. In them.