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What was that– that vague smell of something? Something good. Something heavenly. It tickles his nose like little feathers, making him stir in his bed. That pleasant aroma– of something– dancing in the air– light and sort of savory, akin to cooked meat. It seeps into the cracks of the room, waking the dark haired male from his dazed slumber.
Tenko groans as he shifts to prop himself up, raising a lone knuckle to rake at the corner of his eye, feeling the itch fade at the touch.
“Touya?” his voice croaks, throat hoarse and gritty. He feels his mouth dry up, scratchy like sandpaper, forcing him to cough a harsh sound. Shouldn’t have spoken without drinking water, he thought. His neck constricts, eyes watering as he continues to hack. He takes a sharp inhale and breathes, hoping to pass the time and eventually stop his fits of gasping.
Tenko breathes once, then twice, and as he exhales a final time, his chest evens. His shoulders steadies and slacks, breathing controlled– no longer coughing– inhaling and exhaling– smelling that faint aroma of cooked meat as air pours into his lungs. Now awake from the unwanted rasping, he looks around the room, still, with foggy vision from unshed tears. There was a space beside him, cold and void of one particular fire user, sheets draped carelessly on the mattress, touching the floor. It looks as if he’d just left.
Careful hands caressed empty sheets, dragging the silky fabric across his skin. It has been Touya’s idea to buy blankets woven like delicate fabric. For dry skin, the older hero had said. Tenko tried to tell him that it wasn’t necessary, but the pyro had insisted, saying that it would help with his burn marks too. He knew how stubborn the other could be, knew that it was only because of him that their bed covers were changed since they’ve decided to sleep in the same bed. Still, he was more than grateful for it.
Tenko sinks in the sheets as the thought of Touya– his wonderful, caring, and annoying Touya– plague his mind, an overwhelming joy washing over his body, crashing like waves leaving a faint glow of happiness. He sat there, looking like a love-struck teenager dreaming of their weighty infatuation. It didn’t help that the air that fills his room– or rather, their shared room– smelled of heavenly breakfast. His beloved Touya had probably woken up early to cook. He could feel his heart swell beneath muscle, thump, thump, thumping like crazy.
With no time left to waste, he bolts upright, making a beeline to where their kitchen is. Where his lover is.
“Touya!!” He all but yells, ignoring the scratchy feeling of dryness in the back of his throat. He skips over the kitchen island, the sound of his footsteps loud as he lands with each step. There was a certain silliness in his movement, giddy like on the first day they’ve confessed. It has been years since then.
Upon seeing the taller male, he takes a large step, jumping on wooden floors and tackling the other in a loose and clumsy embrace. “Morning,” he greets, nuzzling his face in the crook of the other’s neck, inhaling the smell of the fresh open sea and, of course, food.
“You’re up early,” Touya remarks, the sound of his voice always a pleasure to hear. He continues to cook, holding a pan in one hand and a spatula in the other. He wore nothing but his trousers, leaving his upper body open and bare. Scars decorate his skin– on his arms and torso– from fights and from his own fire– he kisses one of them on the corner of his right shoulder, just above where his arm and neck meets.
Touya’s shoulder hardens, before melting to the touch.
“Mmm I missed you,” he replies, pressing more kisses on him– his nape, shoulder blades, and spine. He gives him a final peck on his cheek as he peeks over the other’s shoulder and watching him flip over something– eggs and bacon– in the pan. Touya laughs– an even more pleasant sound– and oh damn… if only he knew what Tenko would do to hear that wonderful chorus over and over again.
“Did you? Last I checked, we’ve been living together for 2 years.” The pyro grins, setting the pan down to let the other side of their breakfast cook, one of the eggs broke when the metal touched the stove. “Ah- bummer,” Touya mutters.
“No, but I was asleep for like… uh–“ Tenko looks at the small clock by the counter. It reads 7:30 AM. “–7 and a half hours. My eyes were craving to see you, so it missed you,” he pouts, still not letting go of the other, even as it hinders Touya’s movement.
“Your eyes missed me? Do you have some competition or something?” the pyro teases, his voice like heaven’s blessed choir as he turns around in his place to face Tenko. His bare arms wrapped around the other’s head, laying heavily on the younger’s shoulders while Tenko’s arm encloses Touya’s waist. He sags as he let himself lean on the pyro’s frame.
“My cute hero and his eyes, a war over little ‘ol me,” Touya chuckles. “Man do I feel special– two of the most beautiful things in the world fighting over me,” he says softly, poking his forehead against Tenko’s.
The young hero closes his eyes, humming a fine tune– a song that he has been playing on repeat for the past couple weeks. “Beautiful?” he asks, as if he refused to believe that. The corners of his lips stretched to his cheeks, eyes crinkled, as they sway like they were on a dance floor. “I’m not beautiful. You are.”
Tenko lifts his head, opening his eyes to look at Touya. Rose-colored eyes were glazed with so much adoration, he didn’t think it was possible to be this in love. Could a man fall head over heels twice for the same person?
Touya’s breath hitches, his face flushed red and he ducks his head on the younger’s shoulder.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he grumbles, rubbing mindless circles at the back of the younger hero.
“I’d rather you live for me,” Tenko replies, hugging back.
It was nice, more than nice actually. What do you call this moment of peace? Tranquility or perfect bliss– something like that. This moment of shared love– just them and nothing else, swaying to soundless music. And they could have stayed like that, until the sun sets and a day begins anew. Until the world crumbles and builds itself back.
Then there was that loud sizzling sound, and the smell of bacon grew thicker and heavier in the air.
Tenko’s eyes widen as he remembers where they were and what they were doing.
“Shit– Touya! The eggs!” he slips from the pyro’s hold to move, forcing the other to stumble a bit in his place. With careful hands, he picks up the pan, turning off the stove and setting the sizzling food someplace else.
“Ah– sorry, Tenko– I forgot.” Touya turns around to face the shorter male, a hand on the back of his neck, sorry like a kicked puppy. He looks cute.
Tenko could only laugh in response.
“Silly oaf,” he jests, nudging the pyro’s ribs softly. “Don’t worry about it. It’s all handled.”
Touya’s shoulders slack at the assurance, and soon he was laughing with him.
“That’s my hero, alright,” the pyro says proudly, ruffling Tenko’s dark and messy locks, a stark contrast to his white ones. “Always so ready to save me.”
Tenko lets out a toothy grin.
“Would that make you my damsel in distress?” he jokes, expecting the pyro to quip back.
But Touya only looked at him with the same soft look he gives him. With half lidded eyes and a tooth-rotting smile, he looked so full of fondness, it makes his heart thump hard in his chest. Could a man fall in love three times a day? He needs to know, or he was sure this much pounding of his heart was not a good sign. He needs a doctor’s diagnosis.
“I love you,” Touya whispers, so soft and so sweet– so different from the Touya he had met all those years ago.
Tenko melts. How did he get so lucky..? To have Touya in his arms, a blessing upon blessings.
“I love you too,” he answers, pulling the pyro close, sealing their lips in a shared kiss– sweet and as tasteful as the first.