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It’s almost 4 am when Juri comes home. He usually arrives at home around 30 minutes earlier than this. But recently the bar where he works is always full of customers so he still needs to help and couldn't go home straight away after his shift ends.
After taking a bath, Juri joins Taiga who is sleeping on their bed. He hugs his man from behind and places a tender kiss on the older’s top of head before closing his eyes.
“Welcome home.” Taiga greets Juri with a weak voice since he’s still half asleep. He opens his eyes a bit to peek the clock on the table beside their bed before facing the other man. “You’re late.”
“Yes, it was so busy at the bar. Now let’s sleep.” Juri holds Taiga tight in his arms as the older moves closer to him.
***
“You are late again.” Taiga’s voice sounds so cynic. He is annoyed since Juri always comes home late recently.
Juri feels the coldness in the older’s voice, but he is too tired to argue about it. “Why don’t you sleep? It’s really late, Taiga. You must be sleeping.”
“And while I’m sleeping, you’re flirting with pretty girls?” Taiga is busying himself by playing his phone, doesn’t want to look jealous but he actually couldn’t hide it at all.
Juri furrows his brows as he hears the other’s words. “Taiga, what do you mean?” He knows that Taiga gets jealous easily but he still doesn’t understand why Taiga thinks that way. “We’re married, Taiga. Why should I play around with girls while I already have you? They are just customers.” It’s hard to keep his voice calm but he tries.
“Whatever. I’m going to sleep.” Taiga’s heading to the bedroom without looking at his husband at all.
***
After washing the dishes, Juri is getting ready for work. “Taiga, I’m going to work, okay.” He kisses his husband on the forehead as the older is sitting on the sofa, watching TV.
Taiga looks up and says, “can you not go to work?” with a begging gaze and a pout on his lips.
“I can’t. They will fire me if I take another absence. Don’t worry, I already filed for leave work to celebrate new year with you.” Juri smiles tenderly before heading to the door. But his steps halt as he hears Taiga shouts.
“If you dare enough to go, then don’t come back!” Madness showed on his face but he doesn’t divert his eyes off of the TV screen.
“Taiga, I go for work, not for fun.” Juri answers with a calm voice, not wanting to provoke the older’s anger getting worse.
“Yeah, you work serving your pretty, sexy girls. Don’t think I don’t know, Juri.” Taiga gives a scornful smile and a sharp gaze to his man. “You’re even not willing to stay with me tonight, on my birthday eve.”
“Taiga, how many times I need to tell you that they are just customers. I know which a group of girls you refer to. They frequently visit the bar because the one of them is the owner’s niece.” It’s hard to manage his emotion in this situation but he is doing his best. “And I treat all customers equally, none of them is special. Why is it hard for you to understand?”
“And why is it hard for you to understand that I don’t like you to work there, Juri? Better if you don’t take any job and just focus on your study. Isn’t it exhausting studying at day and working at night?” There is a hint of concern in Taiga’s voice, but jealousy still dominates his emotion.
Juri is now kneeling on the floor in front of Taiga and places his hands on the other’s shoulders. “It’s tiring, Taiga. Really tiring to do everything at the same time. But I’m doing this for you, Taiga, for us. At least one of us must earn money for our needs.”
One hand moves to Taiga’s cheek while the other hand still on his shoulder. “And it’s impossible for me to let you doing this hard life. I can’t resign from university as well. Your father pays my study fee. I can’t disappoint him.” Juri speaks as soft and calm as he could, hoping the older man would understand the situation.
Taiga brushes off his husband's hands. His eyes were fixed on the Juri's deeply. “You ignore me because of money? That's not a good excuse, Juri. If money is the issue, you could tell me. I’ll ask dad to send us more money.”
“No, Taiga. You don’t understand. I never meant to ignore you. We just couldn’t–“
“What I don't understand, Juri? Tell me! It’s you who don’t understand that I’m worried about you, busy all the day, not even having time for me.” Taiga couldn’t control the anger inside his chest anymore. His gaze at Juri is getting sharper. “Or you’re just enjoying being a waiter there so you can give your best service to those girls?”
“Taiga! Watch your words. Those things never come across to my mind!” Juri rises his voice a little bit but still has no effect on angry Taiga.
Taiga holds Juri’s arms with both his hands, shaking them a little hard. His face is more tender but still stiff. “Then quit from your job now. If it’s really money that troubles you, let’s ask dad to help us.”
Juri takes the Taiga's hands and intertwines their fingers together. He closes his eyes for a bit before answering his husband gently. “We can’t, Taiga. We’re married. It becomes my responsibility to take care of you, to full fill your wishes.”
The atmosphere is calmer. Taiga tones his voice down too. He is looking at the younger fondly. “Thus, I’ll take over your role instead. Let me be responsible for you. I will guarantee our expenses.”
“With all money you get from your dad? No, Taiga. I can’t with that.” It’s exhausting him that Taiga can’t understand what he is thinking about the meaning of marriage. They can't always depend on their parents. They have to be independent.
But the younger’s words just provoke Taiga being peevish more. “What do you really want, Juri? You said you do this for me but you actually don't think about me at all, never think about my feelings.”
Juri is silent. He doesn’t know anymore how to explain to Taiga. He really does all of these for him. He even puts aside all his wants, his dreams, to meet the happy life that his beloved husband wants.
“Oh, I know.” Taiga gives Juri his most cynical smirk before continuing his talk, with a mocking expression. “You have an affair, right? Maybe one of your frequently customers? That’s why you need more money because you couldn’t use the money that dad gives for us. Am I right, Juri?”
“Shut it up, Taiga!” It’s the first time Juri is snapping at Taiga, his most beloved person. He never did it before. Even when Taiga was testing his patience, he never rose his voice tone this high. He always managed his emotion well. But at this point, he is just too tired to deal with the same accusation that he never does.
Taiga, who hears his calm, gentle husband snapped at him, is just aghast. He stares at Juri eyes with disbelief. Without realizing, the warm tears come down to his cheeks.
Seeing Taiga’s crying clutches his heart so tight. But he is at his limit as well. Preventing himself to burst out further, Juri decides to step out of their apartment. Before doing that, he kisses Taiga’s lips long enough, transferring his apologize and his huge love through the kiss. “I’m sorry. But I still need to go.”
Taiga is just staring at Juri who is heading to the door. He sees the younger walks out of the door until his shadow is gone as the door is closed. Only silent sobs could be heard at this time.
Time passes quickly. It was still about 8 in the evening when Taiga had fight with Juri after dinner. But it’s now already near midnight. Juri works at a 24 hours bar and takes a night shift, started at 9 pm until 3 am, since he needs to doing his study as well.
Taiga gets up from the sofa where he curled up as he was crying. He feels thirsty so he goes to kitchen to get some water. Right after emptying his glass, his phone rings. It’s from his mother. That’s rare that his mother calls him at this time.
“Hello, Mom!”
Instead of aswering Taiga’s greeting, his mother throws a question. “What were you saying to Juri?”
“What do you mean, Mom?” Taiga wonders why his mother asks him that question as if she knows that he and Juri are not in a good term. On the other hand, he knows taht Juri is not a type who tells others when they fight, so it's no way his mother knows their problem from Juri.
“You said something terrible to Juri, right?”
“Mom, I don’t know what you’re talking about.“
“Juri told your dad that he wants to quit from university and would find a better job instead. He didn’t tell us why, he just said that he wants to stop working at night. But we know his decision was not something that he thought in a rush.”
Taiga just stopped crying minutes ago. His eyes feel dry. But tears still find ways to drop again. “You don’t stop him from giving up on study?”
“We tried, Taiga. But it seems like his decision is unshaken. Your dad told him to focus on study without worrying any expenses. But he is very persistent for not using the money we give.”
Cheeks drench and Taiga doesn’t bother to hide his sob. “Juri…”
“Taiga, Juri loves you so much. He always puts you on the top of everything. He wanted to stay home with his parents, you knew that your father-in-law was not in a good condition back then, right? But he chose to go abroad with you.”
Taiga’s mother pauses for a moment, wanting to hear Taiga response. But she hears nothing, just a sobbing from her son.
“When he knew your dad didn’t let you study abroad since he didn’t want you to live alone. Juri came to us. He was on his knees, begging us to let you go. Do you think your dad would change his thoughts easily? No, dear. It’s not your dad that wanted you marry before go abroad. Your dad wouldn’t change anything he decided if it was not Juri who convinced him.”
“Do you mean, Juri..?”
“Yes, Taiga. It’s Juri who volunteered himself to marry you. In that way, he legally became your guardian, he took the commitment of taking care of you. So, you can study abroad while we don’t worry too much about you. Despite he had to sacrifice his own feelings, the guilty for leaving his parents.”
“Mom, I.. I never thought him doing that much just.. just for me.”
“I know, Taiga, because he never told you, right? Please, respect Juri more, he is your husband. He even works on the time he should be resting. He wants you live well with his own hard working, not the dependency on us or his parents or other people.”
“I hurted him, Mom.” Taiga’s crying is getting louder and louder as he is listening to his mother.
“Say your apologize, Taiga. You love him right? You don't want to prolong your bad term with Juri, right? Solve the problem between you two with a cool head, okay.”
Taiga nods his head despite his mother couldn’t see it. He sweeps away his tears. “Thank you, Mom.”
“You’re welcome, Dear. Believe him, okay? He doesn’t have a single point for you doubting him”
Taiga just nods again, but his mother knows him so well for years. She definitely knows that Taiga understands what the meaning of her talks is. “Good night, Mom.”
“Good night, my son.” Taiga’s mother says before hanging up the phone.
Taiga decides to wait Juri coming home from work. He wants apologizing to his husband be the first thing he does once the other gets home. He wants to greet his man with smile again.
Tiring of crying, Taiga falls asleep on the sofa while he’s waiting Juri. When he wakes up, it’s already past 5 am but there is no hint that Juri’s home. He worries that Juri might didn’t come home because of their fight last night. With fear of being left, Taiga tries calling Juri but there is no answer.
Soon after, the house bell is ringing. Taiga opens the door and he finds Juri passes out, being carried away by his co-worker. “He drank too much after he finished his shift.”
Taiga shows the way to their bedroom. After Juri’s co-worker put him on the bed. Taiga bows as he is escorting their guest to the door. “Thank you for bringing him home and sorry for troubling you.”
“It’s okay. I don’t know what’s wrong with him, he looked so stressful before. He’s not usually drink in the dawn though. Well, I’ll leave now, Taiga.”
No reply from Taiga, just a nod. After closing the door, Taiga goes back to the bedroom. He sits beside Juri, straying away his man’s hair on his face. “Sorry, It's because of me.”
Slowly, Juri’s eyes slightly open. “Taiga?”
“How are you feeling? I’ll make you a warm soup, okay.”
Just as Taiga gets up, Juri pulls him to the bed, bringing him to his arms. “Sorry, Taiga. I made troubles on your birthday.”
“Juri, I’m sorr–“
“Happy birthday, Taiga. I have a present for you but I have no energy left. Let’s stay like this just for a bit.” Juri is tightening his hold on the older and close his eyes.
Silence keeps remain in the room until Juri’s snore is heard. Taiga looks at a sleeping face beside him fondly. He loves his husband so much. Instead of getting up for making soup, Taiga snuggles closer to the younger and takes a nap with him.
Juri wakes up in the empty room. But he remembers that Taiga was in his arm before he felt asleep. It’s already midday, no wonder he feels hungry. He heads to the kitchen and finds his husband preparing lunch for them.
“You’re awake. Wash your face, let’s have lunch.” Juri doesn’t miss the sweet smile that draws on Taiga’s lips. He smiles back before going to the bathroom.
They are eating their lunch silently. No one complains a comfortable silence between them. After finishing the meal, Juri insists to wash the dishes. While the other man is doing the laundry. Still with the silence, Juri helps Taiga doing all the works.
After finishing the house works, they lay down on the bed. No one says even a single word until Taiga takes initiative. “Juri. I’m sorry.” He turns to face the younger. “I’m sorry I was doubting you. I.. Mom told me everything, literally everything you’ve done for me. I’m sorry for hurting your feeling.”
Juri smiles as he rubs Taiga’s soft cheeks, sweeping the tears that comes down. “Don’t cry, Taiga. I’m sorry too. I didn’t give attention and affection as much as you wanted. From now on, I’ll learn to be a better husband for you.”
“Don’t quit your study!” Taiga says while holds the younger’s face with both his hands. “You don’t need to sacrifice yourself only for me. You can be selfish too, Juri.”
“Taiga–”
“You can still continue your job. Just don’t push yourself too much. You need some rest too, okay?”
The smile that Juri missed the most, he could see it again. Taiga’s smile, the sunshine of the days, he touches it carefully. Taiga kisses the fingers on lips, grinning wider.
“But you said you don’t want me to work there.” The anxiety is clearly shown on Juri’s face.
Taiga moves forward until their lips barely touching each other. “I believe you, Juri. I’ll put my trust in you.”
Juri is touched to hear Taiga believing in him. He leans forward, pressing the older’s lips with his own tenderly before pulling him into a hug. “Thank you, Taiga. I love you. I love you so much.”
Taiga just answers Juri’s confession with kissing on the younger's cheek before burying his face in the crook of Juri’s neck. They stay still in the position. Feeling the warmness from each other’s body heat.
It’s Taiga who breaks the hug first. “Where’s my birthday gift?”
Juri chuckles seeing the cuteness that his husband makes on his face. “Wait here.”
Juri gets up to go to his bag and takes a small velvet box out of the bag. He lays back to the bed, opening the box. Juri puts a ring on Taiga’s right ring finger since the left one already has the wedding ring.
“Kyomoto Taiga, will you marry me?”
People might think that the way Juri proposes his lover is not cool at all. But for them, proposing on the bed where they sleep together everyday is such a romantic moment.
“But Juri, we’re already married.”
“Yeah, but it’s father-in-law who arranged the wedding plan and payed all the cost.” Juri brings the older’s right hand to his lips, kissing each finger. “I want to marry you with all my own efforts. I’m saving money for this, Taiga. You deserve more than just having me as your husband. So, what’s your answer, Kyomoto Taiga?”
Taiga hugs Juri tightly. As if he’s so overprotective over Juri, not wanting people take him from his arms. “You don’t need to do this. I’m happy as long as it’s with you. But if you insist that we should marry again, I don’t have a ‘no’ in my vocabulary.”
Juri hugs Taiga back, as tight as the other man does. Placing a long kiss on the top of his husband’s head is his way to express his grateful. Grateful Taiga finally understands him. Grateful their relationship is in a good shape again. Grateful for marrying a such wonderful husband. “Thank you. I'm all yours, Taiga.”
“I love you, Juri.” Taiga’s low voice is muffled on the younger’s chest, but still audible, at least in Juri’s ears.
***
Epilogue
“Guys, are you ready? The wedding will be started in less that an hour.” Jack, the manager of the bar where Juri works, knocks on the couple's bedroom door.
Juri booked the bar for the whole new year eve for their ‘second’ wedding. His co-workers redesigned the bar looking like a wedding dais. They hold a simple wedding, no luxury at all, but they’re so excited for it. They also invited only their closest people in the town.
Jack gasps as he sees the couple out of the room topless. Juri is in his pant, while Taiga has only shorts. “What the hell are you guys doing? Today’s your important moment and you guys still have time to do it?”
“Throw your dirty mind away, Manager. I was going to wear my clothes when Taiga barged in the room saying his suit doesn’t fit him anymore.”
As Juri explains the situation to Jack, Taiga only smiles shyly. “Um.. I recently ate sweets a little more than usual.”
“Not ‘a little', Taiga. You ate only sweets for the whole week. Don’t say I didn’t warn you about it.” Juri pisses off that he always reminded Taiga to control his sweets but the older neglected him.
Jack observes Taiga’s body and he could see that Taiga is gaining weight. “So, what will you do, Taiga?”
With confused and pathetic look, Taiga turns to look at his husband. “Juri..?”
“Think it yourself!” Juri walks to the closet, preparing his own suit.
Taiga pouts and his gaze turns to the person in front of him. “Jack, how?”
“I don’t know, Taiga. If I even manage to get you a new suit, I don’t think we can make it on time.”
“Let’s just wear our wedding suits from before.” Juri says as he throws the clothes on the bed.
“But..”
“No buts, Taiga. Wear it now.”
Taiga‘s lips curve into a pout as he walks toward the younger.
“I’ll wait in the parking lot. Make sure to go down soon.” Jack says before closing the room door and heading to the parking lot.
Once the door shut out, Juri circles his arms around Taiga’s waist, rubbing his tummy. “I prefer this mochi though.” He pecks on the Taiga’s cheek before withdrawing from the older to get ready himself.
As he is putting the clothes on him, Taiga’s smile and blushing expression don’t fade from his face.
After preparing themselves, they stare at each other lovingly. Both take an initiative to close the distance between them, sharing a gentle, deep kiss, before going to their wedding venue.