Work Text:
Today the marshmallow fruit loops are on sale.
Whenever they go shopping together, Koga forbids Tsukasa from entering the cereal aisle. This is likely due to his tendency to try and talk Koga into purchasing some kind of sugary breakfast food rather than a healthy one. Tsukasa has learnt over the years that Koga has a hard time saying no to him—he would be missing out if he didn’t take advantage of that from time to time.
But it seems as though it’s slipped Koga’s mind to do the same today, perhaps because it’s a quarter to midnight and they’re out shopping. His features are soft in the sterile convenience store light, hair ruffled and messier than usual. Tsukasa really wants to drag him down by the collar to kiss him, but he doesn’t particularly think this public konbini is the best place for that.
Tsukasa watches as Koga advances down the aisle, his shopping basket held in the crook of one arm. He stops to pick up a box and squint at it—he’s been doing that a lot lately, but he completely disregards Tsukasa’s suggestions to get his eyes checked out. If it continues he may need to force the issue.
With a heavy heart, Tsukasa glances from Koga to the rainbow-coloured box of cereal before him, deciding to abide by his lover’s rules rather than test his limits yet again. Sora usually has some over at his apartment, so if he’s ever seriously craving it he can always pay him a visit.
Fighting the urge to turn back around, Tsukasa follows after Koga and loops his arm through his free one. He feels Koga lean into him on instinct; whether he’s sharing his body heat or stealing Tsukasa’s, he can’t tell. “I saw you squinting again.”
Koga’s silent for a heartbeat, then, “Ya didn’t see shit.”
“Technically, you’re the one that ‘didn’t see shit,’ my dear.”
“Oh, fuck off.” Koga bumps his hip into Tsukasa’s, earning him a quiet laugh and a retaliatory bump. “Considerin’ my hands are pretty full, could ya grab the milk fer me?”
Tsukasa obliges wordlessly, propping the fridge open with his foot and passing the 2% milk to Koga. “Do we need a new pack of butter?”
“Ah, yeah, now that ya mention it, I think our current pack is runnin’ pretty low. Better safe than sorry.”
With a nod, Tsukasa carefully picks out the specific brand of butter that Koga likes before shutting the fridge and leaning further into Koga. “I’m cold now.”
Koga huffs out a laugh through his nose. “Do ya wanna carry the basket instead?”
“Um…” Tsukasa thinks back on all the lifting he had to do for that stupid game show Leo booked him for earlier that day, then shakes his head. “I’ll pass.”
They walk a little further along the fridges at the back of the store before something inevitably catches Tsukasa’s eye. “Hey, Koga. When was the last time we bought ice cream?”
“Like, two weeks ago,” Koga says, raising an eyebrow. “So before ya ask, no. There’s still some left in the freezer. Plus, this is supposed to be a small shop fer essential items. Not shit like ice cream.”
“There’s only a tiny bit left,” Tsukasa mutters, jutting his lips out in a pout. He’s too tired to argue any further, instead letting go of Koga’s arm to wander down the closest aisle. He stares at the various cup noodle flavours laid out on the shelves before him, eventually settling on sweet chili. He makes his way back over to Koga, holding the item up. “Can we get this?”
Koga scrunches up his face, his eyebrows furrowing in a way he denies being cute but Tsukasa finds awfully endearing. “Hell no.”
“Why not? I’ve never tried it before.”
“Good. Look, I can cook, and you can… reheat leftovers. We don’t gotta buy instant crap like that.” He pronounces the word ‘instant’ like a filthy insult. “We’d be better off with takeout.”
“Can we—”
Koga clicks his teeth. “What do ya think we’re here for?” He snatches the cup noodles out of Tsukasa’s hand, placing them back where he found them. “Seriously, I can’t take ya anywhere. Yer like a little kid.”
Tsukasa walks after him with a smile. “Would you prefer to be doing this alone, then? I do seem to recall you telling me quite frequently back in high school that you enjoy spending time with me, Koga.”
“Oh, please. We were in entirely different years back then,” Koga scoffs. “Whereas today, we spent the entire fuckin’ day together.”
It’s true, they did. Knights and UNDEAD had a photoshoot together that morning, followed by an interview and an appearance together on a local game show that Leo somehow managed to book for them with Rei’s help. Considering the mix of people, it was… interesting, to say the least. “And yet you still want to be in my company.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Yer the one goin’ on like we ain’t been together fer, what, almost a decade now?”
“That’s because you are still fun to tease, even after all these years.”
Tsukasa can hear the distant, rhythmic beeping of the scanners at the self-checkout, only a few meters from where they’ve stopped so that Koga can mentally debate over which brand of rice to purchase today. There’s a group of what Tsukasa assumes to be middle schoolers crowded around one, stealing glances in their direction and whispering amongst themselves.
One of them looks to be wearing a shirt with Kogaball on it. Tsukasa won’t lie, he has the same shirt in his closet. Koga had initially been against the little mascot version of himself; after all, he’s a badass, lone wolf, not a cute ball-shaped creature. But after roughly half the people they know telling him how amazing it was, and seeing how much joy it brings to younger fans, he changed his mind. And thank goodness for that.
Tsukasa tugs on Koga’s sleeve. “Look over there. They’ve been staring for a while now. I think it’s fair to assume they’re fans.”
“Oh, yeah?” Koga looks up from the rice, turning to face the kids. He shoots them a grin and throws a classic UNDEAD hand sign up, eliciting squeals from the girls as they huddle together. “Ya reckon that just made their days?”
“Their whole month, at least.”
They make their way up to the top of the aisle, Tsukasa resisting the urge to ask for every sweet he sees. There’s still some left at home, so it’s fine. Besides, Koga will likely do a larger shop in a couple of days, so he can always request them then.
“Hey, would ya look at that! They’ve got those cookies ya like back in stock today!” Koga exclaims, crouching to grab a packet.
“I thought this was only supposed to be a small shop for essential items?” Tsukasa asks, placing a hand on his hip.
Koga turns his head away from him. “…They are essential. Fer yer happiness.”
Oh, how Tsukasa loves him so. “In that case, may I get the ice cream as well?”
“Don’t push it.” Koga stands back up, depositing the cookies into the basket. “Alright, that should be everythin’.”
It doesn’t take long for them to walk to the checkout, taking their place behind the other midnight shoppers. Koga places the basket onto the end of the conveyor belt, then stretches his hands above his head.
Tsukasa sighs. “I cannot wait to get home. I am beyond tired.”
“You an’ me both, darlin’.” Koga slides his arms around Tsukasa’s waist, resting his chin on his shoulder with a huff. “We’re stayin’ in bed till noon tomorrow, ya hear me?”
Tsukasa hums in response, discarding the basket into the pile on the floor. They stay like that until they have to move, Koga pressing a fleeting kiss to the inside of his neck before going to start packing the bags. The cashier charges them 5460 yen before shyly asking for Tsukasa’s autograph. Koga gathers the bags up as he does that, and the two of them then make their leave. Their apartment isn’t too far from the konbini, so thankfully the walk back should be short.
Tsukasa nudges Koga with his elbow. “Here, I’ll take one.”
“Nah, it’s fine. I’ve got it.”
Left with no other choice, Tsukasa puts his best puppy-dog eyes on. “But I want to hold your hand…”
Koga sighs but gives in and passes Tsukasa one of the bags before slipping his now-free hand into Tsukasa’s. “Fine. There ya go.”
They fall into a comfortable silence for a while, Tsukasa swinging their joined hands between them as if they were children. As one would expect for this time of night, there isn’t much activity. They live in a relatively tucked away neighbourhood, away from the prying eyes of the press and the bustling sounds of the city. It isn’t how Tsukasa ever pictured himself living when he was younger, but now he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Koga?”
“Hm?”
“What’s for breakfast tomorrow?”
“I’ll make ya whatever you want.”
“In that case, I think I would like an omelette. Or two.”
“Ooh, we ain’t had that in a while. Should be fun.” Eventually, they reach the apartment building. Koga holds the door for Tsukasa, and they make their way up to the second floor.
Before Koga can unlock their door, however, Tsukasa leans up on his tiptoes and kisses him. Koga continued to grow over the years, whilst Tsukasa only gained four centimetres. He doesn’t mind, though, because it means he’s perfect to cuddle and
Koga smiles fondly down at him. “Couldn’t ya have waited till we got inside?”
“No, that was extremely important,” Tsukasa says. “You may open the door now.”
Finally. Home sweet home.