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“-don't care.”
Arisu's voice was flat as he entered their apartment, apparently on the phone. It held a certain tone, Chishiya recognized it as his 'shut everything out so it can't hurt me' tone. So he was probably talking to his brother or father. They tended to always call around this time of the year.
He heard him shuffling as he toed off his shoes.
“I don't get why you insist calling when all you do is insult me.” Arisu said as emotionlessly as he could when he entered the living room. He was just ending the call with a sigh and then startled at seeing Chishiya sitting on the couch. He immediately brightened up, giving a shaky grin.
“Hi! I thought you wouldn't be home for another few hours.” He said, checking the time.
Chishiya spread his legs and patted the cushion space in between them, prompting Arisu to get comfortable in the offered space with a slight blush. He relaxed when he felt Chishiya's arms around him and being pulled to rest against the other's chest. Automatically, his hand came up to fist the loose shirt Chishiya was wearing, breathing in the man's familiar scent.
“I decided to leave earlier today. And took the next two days off.” The doctor explained once they were both comfortable.
“You didn't have to. You know I don't care about birthdays.”
“Remember what you told me when I said the same thing?”
Arisu rolled his eyes lightly. “It's different.”
“It's not. You just think so because it's about yourself.”
“Can we not talk about me for a moment?” Arisu whined and buried his face in Chishiya's warm chest.
The bleached-haired man gave an amused smile at that and ran his hand through the dark hair. Arisu was quiet for a few minutes, enjoying the cuddle session, and turned his head again finally so he could speak clearly again.
“How was your day? Anything interesting happened?”
“Hm, not really. Unless you count extracting a toy from a toddler's nose interesting.”
Arisu chuckled at that. “It's good though, right? To not have severe injuries to treat.”
“'Course. But it tends to get boring.” Chishiya shrugged one shoulder, fingers tracing nonsensical patterns on Arisu's arm. “I was thinking about switching to the surgical ward for a while. Noriko and Hasaje have things under control with the kids.”
“Can you just switch?”
“I'll have to do a little refresher training, but that's not a problem.”
“Then do it, if it makes you happy.”
“I'll think about it.” He rested his free hand on top of the one Arisu had curled in his shirt. “How about we order some takeout for tonight?”
“I have to work tonight, remember?” Arisu yawned and turned his hand to comfortably grip his boyfriend's. “But if you want takeout I won't prepare dinner before I go.”
“You're staying home tonight.”
Frowning a little, Arisu lifted his head to stare at the shorter man. “I am?”
“Call in sick. Or let me call in sick for you, I'm better at lying.”
Arisu huffed a laugh. “My birthday is tomorrow, I can work tonight.”
Chishiya moved, scooting lower and to the side so he could comfortably press his lips to Arisu's. “Are you telling me you'd rather serve alcoholics, unhappy and rude customers than spend the night with me?”
“Of course I'd rather spend it with you.” Arisu said, face flushed lightly, but his eyes lowered to their still entwined hands, mouth growing a little tighter. “Say... you know that I really love you, right?”
Chishiya raised a brow, squeezing his hand. “And I love you too.” He answered, gratified at the two seconds Arisu met his eyes again and smile, before he frowned again.
“I don't... I mean, would you say I'm...” He trailed off, biting his lip. Chishiya waited patiently, knowing he'd spill soon. “Do you think I'm a gold digger?”
For a moment Chishiya debated if he was being serious. But knowing him, he probably was. Wouldn't surprise him if that was what the phone call had been about.
He used the arm still around him to pull Arisu even closer and freed his other hand to cup his cheek, making him look at him.
“Do you know the definition of gold digger?” He asked back, not waiting for an answer. “A gold digger is someone who seeks a romantic relationship with another purely to extract money from them. Is that what you're after?”
Arisu shook his head with a frown. “No, but... but my dad said so. Because I keep dallying through life without a goal, because you make so much money that I don't have to strive for more.”
It took every ounce of willpower for Chishiya to not roll his eyes and let out an annoyed breath. Every time he thought it was getting better, his family would call and destroy the progress. Or at least, set it back.
But it wasn't Arisu he was annoyed with, so he refrained from letting his mood show.
“Sweetheart.” He said to get his boyfriend's whole attention, because really, petnames always worked on him. “We fell in love way before you knew anything about me. I could've been a criminal, or a homeless. You didn't care. Since we left Borderland, you've done everything you could to make this work, to make me proud of you. And I am.” He kissed Arisu's forehead, whose eyes were glossing over lightly. “I'm so proud of you for getting your life on track. And you make me unbelievably happy each and every day, just being here.”
He held him tightly when Arisu dove forward to hide his face under his chin, shaking. Chishiya closed his eyes, soothingly rubbing his back as the front of his shirt grew damp. The breakdown didn't last long, thankfully, and Arisu pulled back enough so he could wipe at his eyes.
“Sorry, I just... he gets under my skin...”
Chishiya wiped his thumb over the still damp cheek and smiled. “You don't have to apologize, you know that. I don't know why you keep answering their calls if all they do is hurt you.”
Arisu sighed shakily. “They're still family...”
“We are your family. Kuina and Usagi basically adopted you. I am your family.” He kissed the tip of his nose. “It's up to you. But they only ever call once a year, and only to talk down on you despite what you've achieved so far.”
“It's... hard.” Arisu said and took a deep breath. “I know you're right, but... yeah, it's just hard.”
But it was getting easier each year being away from them. And one day he would cut the toxic ties, Chishiya was sure of that. He kissed him and tucked him close again.
-x-
After a nap, Arisu felt much better. He let Chishiya call in sick for him, barely protesting when he told his boss he'd stay home for a week instead of just a day, and even made jokes while they ate.
Dinner done, they decided to take a bath together.
Chishiya went to get fresh clothes for them, not that they'd need them.
Arisu giggled and squirmed when Chishiya rubbed the soap over his skin, getting to his ticklish sides, making the shorter man smirk and intentionally linger there. Then he went to more sensitive spots, distracting Arisu from returning the favor.
The gamer pulled back and used a soapy finger to tap Chishiya's nose with a laugh. “Stop it, you're distracting me.”
“Boohoo.” Chishiya smiled playfully gave Arisu's butt a squeeze, making him jump and laugh again.
“Come on, I wanna get into the tub.” Arisu said, and Chishiya let him, because he had different plans anyways. They could have that kind of fun later, in bed. Celebrate, hopefully.
One of the perks of their nicer apartment was the big tub. Cuddling up in the warm water together was something they both enjoyed. Chishiya especially loved how completely relaxed Arisu became in there, how he could let his hands run over the smooth skin and press sweet kisses to the exposed shoulder and neck, simply enjoying their intimacy.
Arisu responded nicely to it, too, head resting back against his boyfriend's shoulder, eyes closed and simply relaxing.
“How are you so perfect?” Arisu mumbled out of the blue, head turning a little to press a kiss to his cheek.
“Far from it.” Chishiya replied, letting his fingers trail up to Arisu's shoulder and back down his arm, picking up his hand. He absentmindedly rubbed his thumb over the ring finger. “But I think we are perfect for each other.”
That had Arisu chuckle, looking at Chishiya. “When did you become such a sap?” He teased, not noticing Chishiya reaching over to their pile of unnecessary clothing and retrieve a box.
“Are you complaining?”
“No. But don't let Kuina hear you, she still teases you about that stuffed penguin you won for me at the carnival.”
Arisu settled down again and faced forward, stiffening when he noticed the little satin box in Chishiya's hand, barely above the water. “S-Shuntarou... what...?”
“Marry me.” He let the box flick open, revealing a simple matte silver band, a tiny diamond embedded in.
Arisu stared at the ring, lump forming in his throat the longer he stared. “How... why...?” He tore his gaze away from it, wide glassy eyes meeting Chishiya's.
“Because I love you, as we've already established.” He simply answered. “I meant it when I said I'm your family. High time we make it official.”
“Y-You're not just doing this to cheer me up... right?”
Chishiya chuckled, shaking his head. “I've had the ring for weeks now. I just waited for the right time.”
His precious boyfriend looked so lost, obviously happy but still unable to wrap his head around the idea of someone loving him so much as he stared at the ring.
He hooked his chin over Arisu's shoulder. “You're making me nervous.” He commented when Arisu still didn't answer, too lost inside his mind, probably.
“As if...” Arisu finally quipped back, taking a few deep breaths. “Of course I'll marry you.”
Chishiya squeezed him with his free arm, hiding his smile in the bare shoulder. Then he used both hands to take the ring out and put it on Arisu's finger, unable to ignore the deep satisfaction seeing his ring on him.
Arisu turned fully towards him, grabbing his face and pulling him into a passionate kiss. Chishiya returned it, wrapping his arms back around him.
When they pulled away to catch their breath, Arisu put his forehead to Chishiya's and smiled widely.
“Can we tell the others?”
“Tomorrow. Tonight you only belong to me.”
Arisu ducked his head with a coy smile. “I always do.” And always will, he added in his mind, glancing at the ring.