Chapter Text
A kiss on the cheek could do so much for you, this was something Niki had learned throughout the years. A snack? Just a kiss. Perhaps a stuffed toy from a claw machine? A kiss and Niki was sure to get it. Ah, but there was one small rule. Never on the lips.
"Kisses on the lips are for married couples. You're gonna have to wait," Rinne would sigh, waving his hand in the air and pushing Niki away. His cheeks thoroughly red.
Niki rolled his eyes, resting his head on Rinne's shoulder and whispering in his ear, "Until when will I have to wait?"
The answer had always been the same for the past decade, "Some day." Niki had started to feel that Rinne didn't mean his words. He had been waiting for Rinne for much too long now, had that all been for naught?
Rinne smiled ever-so slightly, wrapping his arms around Niki, "Soon."
~~~
And soon the day did come. After a shocking invitation from Rinne to go out, they went to a new restaurant. Niki had mentioned this restaurant being built months ago, yet he hadn't expected Rinne to remember and even book a reservation for its grand opening. The thought of Rinne's unusually kind gestures warmed Niki's heart, so he eagerly accepted Rinne's request.
The food was delicious, melting in Niki's mouth as he ate bite after bite. Rinne watched him eat with a peculiar expression, only poking the food on his own plate occasionally.
Niki placed his fork down, wiping his face with a napkin before saying, "Is the food not to your liking?"
Rinne smirked, "You taste better." He paused, eyes widening after a moment of realization. "YOUR FOOD. I meant your food tastes better..."
Niki blushed, hiding a bright smile behind his napkin. He spoke teasingly, "Is that the real reason why you invited me out tonight, Rinne~?"
Rinne choked, coughing madly and covering his red face with his hands.
"N-No. It's not. Just finish up, okay? Take your time. I'm not feeling hungry."
Niki laughed once more, propping his head up with his hand as he stared at the flustered mess that was Rinne.
"Why would you invite me out to a restaurant if you're not hungry then? Do you enjoy watching me e-"
Rinne scowled, shoving a spoonful of pudding into Niki's mouth, effectively shutting him up.
The pair ate in silence, only sharing glances occasionally. Niki and Rinne had a language of their own, their bond stronger than anyone else's.
~~~
They drove up to a cliff, where the view of the bustling city below was simply stunning. Niki had to admit that Rinne's silence scared him, but Rinne reached out a hand to squeeze his, seemingly reading his mind. Rinne got out of the car first, running around and opening the door for Niki with a nervous smile. He led Niki by the hand, his palms sweaty. Rinne leaned against the railing at the ledge, staring at Niki with adoration. Niki tucked a strand of hair behind his ear.
Niki's appearance hadn't changed much throughout the years, without mentioning the length of his hair that is. He still maintained his youthful charm and cheery personality which his fans loved. Which Rinne loved. Not a day would go by where Rinne did not shower Niki with praise. Niki who had once felt that he was not worthy of calling himself an "idol" was finally able to see his own self worth thanks to Rinne. Rinne had taught Niki how to love himself.
Rinne stuttered for a moment, before sighing and reaching his hands into his pockets. Niki watched him out of the corner of his eye, trying to maintain his composure. Rinne took a step forward, clearing his throat as he knelt down on one knee. He gazed up at Niki, his eyes wide and watery. A more sincere love could be found nowhere else. Without a moment for Niki to react, Rinne repeated the phrase he had said over and over throughout Niki's life. With a twist.
"Being here with you tonight, seeing you up close, has reminded me of what a fool I've been. The things I've done in the past are... unforgivable. Yet you found it in your heart to forgive me time and time again. You've been by my side for many years now, and although it may sound selfish, I'd like to keep you with me forever. So, Niki Shiina, would you make me the luckiest man in the world and marry me?"
Niki's gaze went from Rinne's trembling lips to the enormous diamond on the ring. In the past, Rinne could have only joked about proposing with such a magnificent ring. Rinne would propose with anything he could get his hands on, be it a candy or an onion ring. Niki had always laughed it off and rejected him playfully. When you're young, you don't find yourself thinking about things such as marriage. But Rinne did. Rinne insisted on marrying Niki, for Niki was the only one for him. He needed to marry Niki, no one else should be able to have him.
Niki and Rinne would bicker daily, which often resulted in Niki telling Rinne everything he needed to hear. Rinne was messy, vulgar, lazy, and addicted to gambling and alcohol. Such a man was not to fit to be anyone's husband. He wouldn't be anything more than a burden. Niki's words hurt Rinne deeply, engraving themselves in his mind.
Rinne had first gave up alcohol, allowing Kohaku and Himeru to punish him for even mentioning it. Next was the gambling. After one final game, he payed off his debts and left the gambling world forever. With his newfound freedom from these vices, Rinne began to help out Ibara. Rinne was an extremely intelligent person, but he let his talents go to waste. Niki knew that his specialty was mathematics, since Rinne would do his homework in return for some food when they were younger. Rinne was great with words, able to convince anyone of anything. With so much potential, it was pointless to laze around all day.
Thanks to Rinne, Cosmic Productions would grow and become the most successful production company, toppling even the likes of Starmaker Productions. Ibara respected him and even trusted Rinne with management and publicity.
Many people had grown up listening to Crazy:B, and those who didn't know them had yet to discover their love for Crazy:B's music. Crazy:B had already trained the newest generation of talent, who they hoped would surpass them someday. Rinne, Niki, and Himeru had watched Kohaku grow up into a respectable young man. Rinne would often cry simply remembering when Kohaku was their "little boy". Time sure did fly, but there was nothing that could be done about.
Niki stared intensely at the man who knelt before him. He was still the same person he had found out on the streets all those years ago, yet also not. He has grown and matured just as they had all done. The person who knelt before him now was hardworking and responsible. He cared about others deeply, and worked hard in order to not disappoint them. He had turned his entire life around for Niki, to become the perfect man for Niki. But Niki knew no one was perfect, and that was what made Rinne all the more loveable. Niki would be honored to marry this man.
Niki threw his arms around Rinne, almost causing him to stumble backwards, "Yes! I will!!! I'll marry you Rinne!"
Rinne placed the ring on Niki's slender finger with shaky hands. He sniffled, wiping his tears with his sleeves as he avoided Niki's gaze. Niki crouched down in front of him, taking Rinne's hands and placing them on his own cheeks.
"Why the tears?" Niki asked teasingly.
Rinne shook his head, "I..was scared. I was scared you would reject me like you always do."
Niki laughed, "Well, you weren't being serious those times."
Rinne stared at Niki dead in the eyes, his gaze firm, "I have never not been serious when it came to you."
Niki rolled his eyes, kissing Rinne's forehead. He made his way down to the tip of Rinne's nose. It was cold, perhaps due to the chilly late autumn air. Niki went for Rinne's lips next, but was stopped by a finger being placed on his.
"Don't," Rinne muttered, "We're not married yet."
Niki pinched Rinne's cheek as he replied with slight annoyance, "Are we not engaged? Isn't that close enough?"
Rinne smiled, taking Niki's hands and helping him up.
"Believe me, it's been hard controlling myself all these years."
He pulled Niki in, embracing him tightly as he rested his head on Niki's shoulder, taking in his sweet scent. Niki's long hair tickled his skin, but he didn't mind. In each other's arms, even the coldest days felt sunny and warm.
However, this joy would not last for long.