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Dropping his keys on the end table by the front door, Chikara feels he can finally let out the sigh of relief that’s been bubbling up from the back of his throat since he said his goodbyes to everyone in the office to head home for the day, his shoulders relaxing. He closes his eyes for a moment before opening them again and taking off his shoes in the genkan, sleepiness tugging at him as he puts everything away, his voice not coming to him just yet in order to announce his arrival back home.
He doesn’t end up needing to though as from the corner of his eye, someone turns the corner into the hallway and is promptly standing in front of him.
“Welcome home, baby,” Ryuu greets him with a grin as he looks up, wrapping his arms around his waist to gently pull him closer. One of Ryuu’s hands moves to tilt his chin up and Ryuu presses a soft kiss to his lips, his thumb caressing his cheek, and Chikara finds himself instinctively relaxing in his boyfriend’s hold as he kisses back, the stress from the day seeming to just melt away now that he’s in Ryuu’s arms again.
It really is like nothing else matters whenever Ryuu holds him, it’s a sensation that’s never stopped feeling so novel for him even after years of being together. He’d never even imagined before it was actually happening that there could ever be a chance Ryuu would ever return his affections back in high school and even when Ryuu really was confessing to him, it still didn’t seem possible that his unrequited crush on his teammate of two years was actually… Well, requited. While a bit dramatic, Chikara knew that Ryuu’s affections for Kiyoko weren’t a joke after all, despite the possible assumption that it was a shallow, insincere mimicry of the real emotion, because that wasn’t how Ryuu was. He’s nothing but sincerity, his devotion runs deep. So because of this, how would Ryuu not remain loyal to his feelings for Kiyoko?
Even knowing that he couldn’t really assume that Ryuu was straight with complete and total confidence (seeing as Ryuu never outright said anything to confirm that), Chikara thought that even if there were a chance Ryuu would be able to return his affections, he couldn’t possibly compare to someone like Kiyoko. After all, she was calm and put together, dedicated, a bit on the shy side but she held a truly incredible sense of strength that was inspiring to see if someone was lucky enough to get the chance. She was thoughtful and considerate, she always wanted to help in any way she could, and of course, she was also beautiful. Though he’s gay and feels no attraction towards women whatsoever, Chikara can absolutely still recognize that she is stunning. It felt like he’d have no chance to even try and compete with someone as amazing as Kiyoko. Chikara didn’t have all of those qualities after all, not in his mind at least. He was high-strung and anxious for one thing, and he considers himself more of a coward than other people want to say he is. He wasn’t soft and gentle, being the person who always got on Ryuu’s ass about studying and staying on top of his schoolwork throughout their second and third years of high school. And he really didn’t feel he was particularly attractive, let alone a word as strong as “beautiful.” He just felt extraordinarily plain if he were to sum it up into just a few words: plain in his personality, plain in his accomplishments, and plain in his looks.
Ryuu somehow did fall for him though, he somehow realized in the middle of their second year that Chikara had become really important to him, Chikara complemented him in a way no one has been able to before. The way Ryuu had explained it to him once, with Kiyoko he felt like his world had been turned completely upside down, it was an incredible, all-encompassing sort of feeling, but with Chikara, it was natural, right. There wasn’t one moment in which the world seemed to stop as Ryuu realized that he was in love with Chikara, it was a quiet, gradual process and before Ryuu knew it, everything just clicked into place, as if it was always meant to be there, as if it just made sense that he had fallen in love. It didn’t suddenly solve all of life’s problems, it wasn’t a fairytale ending, it was something more. They’ve had to put in time and effort, they’ve had their share of conflicts, but that’s why it’s perfect, because it’s something so deeply and inherently human.
Chikara’s not sure if he’ll ever completely understand how Ryuu’s able to love him but he knows that that won’t stop Ryuu from doing so anyways and he’s willing to keep Ryuu’s love all to himself as long as Ryuu keeps giving it, whether or not anyone thinks that it’s selfish. It may always feel novel that Ryuu reciprocates his affections, he’s not really sure. He’s really lucky to have Ryuu in his life is all he knows.
“Hi,” Chikara greets back quietly when Ryuu pulls back from the kiss to look at him and he gives him a tired smile.
Letting out a chuckle, Ryuu nuzzles their noses together, giving him an amused smile. “Someone looks sleepy, huh?”
“Mhm,” he hums as he buries himself into Ryuu, closing his eyes.
“Then I think you should go take a nap for a bit while I get a couple things done and then I wanted to take you out if you’re up to it. How’s that sound?” Ryuu moves his hands to the backs of Chikara’s thighs, giving him a moment to wrap his arms around his neck before he picks him up, carrying him towards their bedroom.
“Hmm? Take me out?”
“Mhm, we can go check out that new camera you wanted, grab some food, maybe walk around a bit after dinner or head home and watch a movie? Just something fun to celebrate, doesn’t need to be anything fancy.”
Chikara lifts his head up from the crook of Ryuu’s neck. “You don’t have to do all that just for me, really,” he tells his boyfriend.
“Course I do, you deserve to have today be extra special!” Ryuu insists, kissing his temple. It figures that he wasn’t going to budge on this, Chikara should’ve known as much. “I know I already said it this morning but happy birthday again, Chika.”
There’s no point in arguing on this, Chikara knows that Ryuu already made up his mind long before this conversation so he might as well just accept it now and save them both the hassle. “Thank you,” he mumbles sleepily with a resigned sigh, snuggling more into Ryuu’s hold again. “That sounds good.”
“Perfect, get some rest then, I’ll wake you up in a bit,” Ryuu says, satisfied with his compliance as he sets him down in their bed and helps him out of his clothes from work and into one of Ryuu’s hoodies after being given permission. Once Chikara’s all settled, Ryuu pulls the blankets up to tuck him in, brushing some of his bangs away from his face and kissing his forehead, nose, and lips.
“Have a good nap, baby,” Chikara hears Ryuu whisper softly as he closes his eyes. He gives Ryuu a slight nod before he’s drifting off.
Ryuu’s waking him up a couple hours later and the two set about doing what Ryuu had suggested previously, spending some time around one of the shopping districts after Ryuu buys Chikara the aforementioned camera, even though Chikara tells him it really isn't necessary. Still, Chikara will admit that it’s fun being able to take pictures of his boyfriend around the district, all the lights around them making a nice backdrop as the sun goes down. After a while just exploring and spending time together, they meet up with Kinoshita and Narita for dinner and Noya briefly calls with all of them for a bit during their time there to wish him happy birthday. Their old teammates stick around a bit longer after they eat just to catch up before they need to head out and Chikara finds himself out for a stroll through the park with Ryuu.
Chikara watches the snow falling down as it’s illuminated by the moonlight, his breath clouding up in front of him, and he moves closer to Ryuu, holding on to his arm more as he leans his head on his boyfriend’s shoulder. Ryuu subtly glances over at him with a small smile, squeezing affectionately at the hand buried into his coat pocket with his own, their fingers intertwined, as he looks back out in front of them, letting the comfortable silence stretch on as they keep walking.
“I never really expect much on my birthday but this is nice,” Chikara says at some point, moving his head to press a kiss to Ryuu’s cheek.
“Well good, I always want to do something for your birthday, you know.”
“Yeah, I know,” he laughs out quietly, resting his head back on Ryuu’s shoulder. “Even if I promise that it’s fine and that it’s really not necessary for you to do anything, you still find some way to spoil me. Careful, I might get a big head if you keep insisting on feeding my ego.”
Ryuu lets out a laugh at that, shaking his head. “You keep yourself humble, maybe even a little too humble sometimes. I don’t think we really need to worry about that,” Ryuu muses. “I’m trying to get you to realize just how much you deserve actually, you have no idea how incredible you are still and I refuse to settle for that.”
“You’re such a dork,” Chikara sighs but he really can’t help himself from smiling, hiding it in Ryuu’s shoulder so his boyfriend can’t see it.
“But you love this dork~”
“Yeah yeah, I’m well aware,” Chikara chuckles, playfully bumping Ryuu’s hip with his own.
“And this dork loves you too,” Ryuu murmurs softly, pressing a kiss to his hair. When Chikara looks up at him, he smiles fondly. “So much, Chikara.”
Though he could actually blame his cheeks turning red on it being cold right now, Chikara isn’t foolish enough to believe that for a second as he feels his face grow warm hearing that.
“I’m…” He takes a deep breath. “I’m really glad you do…” he just barely manages to get out, voice nearly failing on him as the emotion hits him so immensely.
Ryuu, the obliviously unaware heartthrob that he is, just gives him the most affectionate, sincere look imaginable, expressing in a single moment far more love for him than Chikara had ever thought possible years ago. It’s strange what hindsight does over the years.
“You know, when I got to middle school, I’d sort of resigned myself to the fact that it was easier to not have expectations for my birthday honestly, and I guess I’ve just kept that up ever since,” Chikara admits, meeting Ryuu’s gaze.
“How come?”
“I don’t know, it just sort of feels sad and gloomy in a way on this day of the year,” Chikara tells him with a shrug.
Ryuu just lets out a hum to let him know he’s listening.
“It’s the day after Christmas so everyone is starting to wind down from all the anticipation and excitement that comes with it. People are tired and spend today recharging from all the celebrations they had, stores put everything on sale to get rid of the things they’ve overstocked because the excitement is over and no one’s in a hurry to buy last minute gifts anymore, and everyone’s getting ready to close out the year and start the next one. Everything’s returning back to normal again,” he continues explaining to his boyfriend. “Plus, everyone just condenses my Christmas and birthday gifts into one since my birthday’s the day after, there’s really no point separating the two. Because Christmas is about giving and putting other people before yourself, I feel like I’m not allowed to keep any of the attention that people get on their birthdays, it’s almost like I’m expected to share it in a way. And now that I’m out of school, I just go back to work the day after Christmas just like everyone else has to.”
“Yeah, I see…” is all Tanaka mutters out, looking at the ground as it then goes quiet again.
He suddenly notices the heavy weight that settled in his chest as he put those thoughts into words for the first time and he blinks, realizes that he might’ve brought Ryuu down a bit too. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, we’ve been having a nice time and I’ve just brought the mood down all of a sudden, didn’t I? I know I’m just getting in my own head again and probably overthinking it when I don’t need to,” he apologizes, looking down at the ground in front of them, feeling a little bad about ruining Ryuu’s efforts of making today special for him.
“Oh hey, no, it’s alright Chikara!” Ryuu interjects quickly, tilting his chin up to make Chikara look at him. “Really, it’s alright, you don’t need to apologize for that at all.”
Chikara gives him a look that says he can’t truly believe that, raising an eyebrow as he purses his lips.
Ryuu shakes his head. “I mean it, you don’t. It’s ok if that’s what you feel, ok? It totally makes sense that you might have those kinds of emotions.”
“Even still, it’s just that you’ve always made my birthday feel special, I shouldn’t have to feel like that anymore but I do anyways.”
“Well, I’m glad I do,” Ryuu punctuates with a kiss, smiling at him. “But just because I do doesn’t mean that your feelings will magically change, you’re still working through it and that’s ok. You have these sorts of preconceptions because for a long time, it seemed to be true, there was nothing that challenged that sort of mindset or gave you reason to think otherwise. I’ve been in your life for a shorter amount of time than the time that I haven’t, so wouldn’t it make sense that the potential mindset you’ve had for longer is the one you’re still more likely to believe?”
Chikara stays quiet for a bit, Ryuu letting him take his time to think over his words without complaint, the two continuing to walk together as the snow keeps falling.
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right…” Chikara finally says. “I just wish I already saw it the way you do is all.”
“I know, but I’m still here in the meantime.”
Looking over at Ryuu again, Chikara lets out a slight huff of laughter. “You know, I’m lucky to have you as my boyfriend, Ryuu.”
Though it’s cold, Chikara would be foolish to think Ryuu’s pink cheeks were because of that too. Deciding to spare him though, he just smiles, squeezing his hand.
“I think your birthday is special, you know why?”
“I don’t. Why?”
“Well, it’s cause you’re amazing,” Ryuu hums with a smug grin as Chikara gets flustered. “And why wouldn’t I think today’s special? I mean, it’s celebrating the most extraordinary person in the world. I get to appreciate the fact that on this day, Ennoshita Chikara was born, giving me the opportunity to meet him and have him absolutely change my life in ways I could’ve never even imagined was possible. The world was gifted with a driven, tenacious, witty, compassionate, beautiful man who makes me appreciate every single day as if it’s going to be the best one yet, who drives me crazy over how in love with him I am, who inspires and encourages me to give everything my all, who reminds me that even when I feel like I’m nothing but ordinary, normal, like I couldn’t possibly be anything special, I don’t have to have the world notice me because I’m loved and cherished by the person who’s praise and admiration I seek the most. Today means that I had the chance to ask out my boyfriend who I now get to live with and who I hope I get to stick around my entire life if he wants me to. Today’s special to me because it means I have you.”
Chikara blinks up at Ryuu as he listens, the two of them having stopped walking as Ryuu’s answering his question. Chikara takes his hand out of Ryuu’s as he wraps his arms around his neck, quickly hiding his face into Ryuu’s shirt as it turns bright red. At this point, Chikara’s not entirely sure how he hasn’t just spontaneously combusted.
It takes him a moment but once Ryuu processes what’s happening, he just bursts into loud, boisterous laughter, hugging Chikara back tightly. He presses a kiss to his hair, smiling brightly as Chikara can do nothing more than let out a flustered whine, content to just hold him as long as Chikara wants.
“You can’t just say all that,” Chikara laments, his voice muffled in Ryuu’s shirt.
“Well you asked why, so I told you,” Ryuu chuckles.
“You’re right, I did ask.” Chikara nuzzles into him more. Though he’s still very flushed, Chikara is eventually able to pull away, taking a deep breath before he tells his boyfriend, “I love you, Ryuu.”
Smiling, Ryuu cups his cheeks and kisses him, Chikara immediately returning it. “I love you too, Chika.”
“I’m getting cold, can we go home?” Chikara then asks, causing Ryuu to laugh as he nods.
The two of them start moving again, Ryuu taking his hand to intertwine their fingers before sticking them back into his coat pocket and Chikara leans his head on Ryuu’s shoulder.
“If you’re cold, I had a possible idea for celebrating that could help you with that,” Ryuu mutters into his ear after a moment.
“Ryuu!!” Chikara exclaims as he lightly hits at his boyfriend’s arm, though he’s still grinning.
“I gotta make sure I’m showing my boyfriend all the ways I love him on his birthday!” Ryuu teases him lightly, kissing behind his ear.
“Let’s go, you dork,” Chikara snorts, shaking his head with a fond roll of his eyes.
“Happy birthday, Chikara.”
“Thank you, Ryuu.”