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It was already well past 9 PM when Itsuki Shu came home, his bones aching as he took out the key to his apartment and opened the door. It has been a tiring day, even more so than usual. Out of all the people in his workplace, Shu knows he can be exceptionally stubborn—a fact that Kuro kept telling him—when working, but today, his client is just the worst.
Shu exhales his breath in irritation when he recalls the way the woman was staring at him and the way her father kept asking him about what he thought about his daughter. First of all, sir, can you tell her to stop undressing me with her eyes? Thank you. A much younger Itsuki Shu would probably just outright tell them to go fuck themselves, but he is a professional.
(And oh, of course he subtly implied in his words that he doesn't want them or anyone related to them stepping inside of his shop again.)
He massaged his temple, glancing at the clock before checking his phone. No new chats from his lover. Shu tries not to protest, they are both working adults after all, it shouldn't be uncommon for one of them to forget the other's birthday. (Shu swears he will never forget, though.)
After ten minutes with no new messages from Kuro, the pink-haired man turns off his phone tiredly and forces himself to get up from the couch. Walking feels like a chore now, when all he wants is to sleep in the other man's arms. But it seems like he won't be getting that too. Shu places his phone on the table, charging the thing that nearly died due to how much he checked his phone for Kuro's messages that day.
Shu left his phone there then, and was walking towards the kitchen to grab a glass of water when he heard the sound of the front door opening. He tensed, not expecting the red-haired man to come home soon. The designer shakes his head, and puts the now empty glass on the counter. His head now feels like it's pounding, so he leans heavily on the doorframe, hoping that Kuro would not scold him tonight.
He's clearly not in the mood for that, even though he loves his lover always, he doesn't want to hear the usual nagging that comes once Kuro knows he's sick. Shu doesn't know if that's a good thing or not.
“I’m home.” Kuro sighs, putting his bag on the table and taking off his coat to hang it. “Welcome home, Kiryu.” The name flows off his lips before he realizes it. Shu walks closer to his lover, a small smile on his lips when Kuro’s hand reaches out to hold his own.
“Happy birthday, Icchan .” At the sound of his childhood nickname coming from Kuro’s lips, Shu stiffens before he feels his cheeks heating up. It’s been far too long since he heard that nickname, and it would be a lie to say that he does not like the sound of it from Kuro’s lips.
“Sorry I came back late.” Kuro adds when he noticed Shu had gone silent.
Shu shakes his head. “It’s fine, we’re both busy, aren’t we?”
Kuro smiles in amusement, leaning down to kiss Shu’s forehead. “Even though you definitely would’ve been mad at me for a week in the past for forgetting your birthday?” Shu’s eyes widened, frowning in defense. “I am not that child anymore, Kiryu , would you stop that already?” He is now pouting, and the red-haired man in front of him has the gall to chuckle.
“Sorry, sorry.” A hint of amusement is still evident in his voice, but Shu only pinches Kuro’s cheek lightly in response.
“Happy birthday once again, Shu.”
Shu lets himself smile this time, and leans onto the other man’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Kuro.”