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Christmas Eve / Evening — Living Room
Ayan
Warm, happy, content —words to perfectly describe Ayan’s state right now. He’s sprawled on the couch with his legs covering the length of it and back pressed against the big cushion on the armrest. He has a book in his right hand, and the smell of hot chocolate surrounding him. But most importantly, his husband —in their matching red sweaters— is curled up like a cat between his legs, while his head rests on Aye's abdomen.
He runs his free hand through Akk's hair, who instantly hums his approval and leans into the touch. Akk has turned into the third cat in their home —he might or might not have picked up the mannerisms from their babies, Montow and Vaanjoy.
Aye puts his book away, looking down at the taller, who's mindlessly playing with the golden band on his hand. The metal must feel warm now after wearing it all day, Aye can vouch from experience.
“Do you remember the day I put this on you?“ Akk suddenly asks —to Aye's surprise— like he felt the shorter's eyes on him.
“Of course, I do. It's the second best day of my life.” Aye wraps his arms around the taller.
Akk shifts to look up into his eyes. “What is the best day?”
“The day I got to see you naked for the very first time.” Silence. “Ouch, Akk that hurts!” Aye rubs at his waist, that just got pinched.
The taller grumbles, “You deserve it, shameless.”
"What shameless? I'm your husband."
"Shameless husband."
Ayan giggles, giving the other a sniff kiss. “Mmmm but yes, the day you asked me to be yours forever, wins.”
~flashback
4 Years Ago / The Boat
Akk
It's Akk's twenty-third birthday and he's on the sea with Aye, his boyfriend of almost half a decade.
The cruiser boat they're on isn't something grand, but there are two stories and a cozy little cabin and Akk loves it. He bought it for his parents a year ago, after saving a good chunk of his teacher's salary. Aye had pitched in as well, ignoring Akk's protests. Aye had argued how he'll be using it often and wanted to pay for his share. As promised, Aye uses it often. Twice a month, the pair visits Akk's parents and the two spend their nights on the quiet sea.
In all honesty, Akk would have given in on Aye's request regardless, since they already share a home and split finances.
Akk had also made peace with having to deal with Aye's stubbornness early in their relationship. After all, he'd fallen for the stubborn boy, whilst carrying his own shades of the same color.
But that's just Akk and Ayan. Always have been. And Akk loves how even after diving into adulthood, they still managed to keep their dynamic intact.
It's twenty minutes past midnight and the cabin's drunk on moonlight. Slow music echoes from the record player next to an almost-empty wine bottle and a cake that's missing a piece. The song playing is an acoustic version of the song Aye serenaded Akk with, the very first time they celebrated his birthday together. It ended up becoming their birthday tradition. Over the years, Aye wrote many songs for Akk and they worked on a few together. Akk wrote some on his own too, as he gradually learned his way around a guitar. But it was always their song they'd stick with for the yearly celebrations.
Now, arms around each other's waists, they're swaying to the music in a lazy rhythm. Aye's head on Akk's shoulder; Akk's face half buried in Aye's hair, breathing him in.
Akk's happy.
It's not like he isn't happy most days, cause he is. His parents are doing well. He recently started a job he loves (Aye’s not looking for one at the moment because he decided to take some time off after 5 years in University). He's found a healthy support system in his friend circle. And he has the warmest boy he's known, close to his heart, every night.
But today, with Aye next to him, humming a promise of forever, Akk's the happiest he's been in so long. And he wants a forever of it.
Or at least, for as long as he can have it....
Something twists in Akk's gut at that thought and he whispers, "Aye?"
"Hmm?" The boy in question doesn't stir from his place in Akk's arms, but Akk knows he's got the shorter’s attention.
"I want to celebrate all my birthdays with you."
"Mhmm." Aye places a small kiss at Akk's shoulder where his cheek rests, and continues swaying to the music slowly.
"For as long as you want me." Akk adds, a little softer.
That makes Aye pull away a little. Their bodies are still pressed close but Aye's face is tilted up now to search his boyfriend's eyes.
Aye is iridescent in the moonlight, soft eyes with wine-flushed cheeks. And when he smiles, "I'll never not want you, Bigfoot," it feels like the simplest truth the sea outside has been a witness to.
Aye wants it too. Aye wants him... Aye wants a forever with him.
Akk inhales, settling on the question. "Aye, will, will you…"
'What if it changes everything?' Akk's mind supplies, skillfully unhelpful. The twist in Akk's gut worsens at the new thought —heavy words at the tip of his tongue, now fighting for an escape.
"Hm?" The shorts tilts his head softly.
"I just mean... can, if we decide..."
Akk shuts his mouth, swallows, and drops his arms. Aye follows suit —kind eyes not leaving his boyfriend when he speaks:
"I'm not going anywhere, baby. Take your time."
Akk tries to sort his thoughts out. He wants to spend the rest of his life with Aye and he's ready to make a commitment. But he's attached to their present reality —so content with the place they are in, with regards to their lives and relationship. And the mere thought to barter it all, even for a more binding promise, feels scary. Change feels scary.
He starts, hoping to communicate the same to the boy looking at him expectantly. "I love you." The other boy smiles and Akk continues. "And I love us."
"I do too."
"But I want more."
Aye softens.
"Is it selfish if I ask for more?"
"It's not, darling." Aye smiles.
"But what if... what if it changes what we have now? This is the happiest I've been and I don't want to, I…"
The smile on the shorter's face doesn't falter. "Can I tell you a secret, Bigfoot?"
Akk nods and his eyes are heavier than they were a minute ago. Sadder.
"I've been married to you in my head since the day we exchanged those pins, back in our last year of school."
A soft laugh escapes Akk's lips. "You've always been ridiculous."
Aye shrugs, like Akk just sent his way a compliment. "My point being, that was five years ago and all the changes we've had in our relationship since then have only made me crazier about you."
Akk's vision turns watery.
Aye continues, "I changed a ton, and so did you, Akk. We grew up… loving and fighting and loving some more. We saw a lot of change but we're still here. I loved you when you were a boy. And believe me, my darling, I loved you like a fool.” Akk laughs, a tear slipping down his cheek and Aye wipes it off with the pad of his thumb. "I love you now, the man you've become. I love you like a fool still. Everyday I'm with you, my love grows into something more, something intangible. And everyday, I still want more. With you, I want all of it and more. "
That does it for Akk and his tears start falling at an alarming pace.
Aye steps into Akk's space right away, bringing the taller boy's hands to his own cheeks. Aye's own eyes are dangerously dewey as he follows to cups Akk's face between his palms, catching as many tears as he can in the process. It's vividly reminiscent of their first kiss a lifetime ago.
"Akk, I want to marry you. I want to marry you really badly. Outside my head." Akk's sniffles and chuckles mix into one. "...but I want you to ask me the question in your own time. Just know, however long it takes, I'll say yes and I'll make sure every change we face, aligns with our love."
Akk nods frantically, blinking away tears. He swallows, then nods again and follows to sink into his boyfriend's embrace.
When they pull away, Akk is put together and relatively calm.
Aye wonders out loud, "Akk."
"Hm?"
"I was thinking how weird it'd be if you weren't actually talking about marriage there."
Akk laughs, shaking his head. "I was."
“Oh, thank goodness.” The shorter huffs out a laugh, spinning adorably on his heels in relief.
This time around, the words come easy to Akk, "Will you marry me, Aye?" His voice is stuffy, face still flushed from all the crying but he's never sounded more sure.
"Oh." Aye blinks, clearly taken by surprise. "Well… I see, someone couldn't wait to have all of me." He easily shifts to teasing, but Akk doesn't miss the way Aye's entire body melts at the question, swaying in that skippy way it does when he's happy. "Now whatever shall I reply with?" The shorter sing-songs.
"Shortstop!"
His boyfriend giggles. "Yes, yes. I will marry you, Bigfoot!"
The knife twisting at Akk’s insides finally stops.
Aye continues, grinning to himself. "Come to think of it, aren't we technically married on account of being on a boat?"
"Huh? That's not even close to how it works." Akk snorts, amused. "In fact, even in the West, the ship captain isn't legally—"
"Hushhhh…" Aye cuts the taller off with an index finger pressed to his lips. "We're on a boat. I just made a heartfelt vow. And we're both willing. I'm pretty sure we're good to go." Aye removes the finger, pointedly.
Aye's right. Not like it's getting anymore legal than this, so why the hell not!?
"We're good to go." Akk smiles and the shorter sways back and forth in excitement.
“Besides, we exchanged pins all those years ago, so that should do.”
About that…
“Actually, I might have something.” Leaving Aye’s warm embrace, Akk runs to his bag atop the mini fridge, rummages for a second, and takes out the pretty little wooden box that's been sitting there since forever.
Aye eyes him playfully. “Oh-hoo honey, don't tell me you got me a diamond ring?“
He rolls his eyes. “You’ve seen my bank statements, how rich do you think I am?”
Akk brings the box back, and without any fanfare opens it. Inside is a set of beautiful gold-plated bands, with little suns in the centre and moon cycles engraved on the inside.
Aye is quiet now, just staring at the rings, so Akk decides to word vomit. “I got them… uh last year, but it wasn't with the intention of wedding bands. Well, not at first. I just wanted it to be a couple's thing we could share, since you seem to love those so much but the more I looked at the rings, the more I wanted them to be our wedding bands… if that makes sense? And I just, I didn’t know what to do about that back then and so I put them away.” When he builds up the courage to find Aye's eyes, they are full.
“Akk, they're beautiful. Thank you for saving them until now.” Aye lifts up his left hand. “Put it on me?”
Akk sniffles while nodding. When did he start crying again? He picks one of the rings, and puts it on Aye's finger. My sun! Then he presses a soft kiss to the place where the ring sits.
Aye quickly takes out the other ring and the minute it's on Akk, the shorter starts placing tiny wet kisses on his fingers making Akk giggle.
"Congratulations," Aye grins, pausing his attack to try the words out, "...husband."
The word tingles and Akk lets his head fall on the shorter boy's shoulder —his head pumping multiple dopamine shots, all at the same time.
"While we're at it, wanna try making a baby?" Aye quips, next to Akk's ear.
Akk pulls away with a funny look on his face. “Hm?”
"You never know, Akk, it just might work!" Aye adds, a pair of dead-serious-brows raised in conviction.
"I think this is enough trial-n-error for the night."
"Fair enough. But we'll keep trying, husband dearest…"
Aye loves using all sorts of cheesy terms of endearment for him and Akk turns into a human puddle at the new addition.
"Alright." He threads gentle fingers through the shorter's hair. "We have a lifetime ahead of us."
"Lifetimes. Plural. You're mine in this life and the next." Aye slides his palms down Akk's torso, and around his waist, sending shivers through his body. It's a simple act, especially after years of exchanging intimate touch, but the context is new and that makes it all the more exciting.
Aye's not done. "...you have been mine since the day you grabbed me by the collar and offered to punch me."
"That offer was a threat, idiot. I meant business."
"Oh you have no idea how hot that was." Aye eyes Akk, all cheeky and shameless. "The things I'd wanted to do to you..."
Akk licks at his lips without thinking and the shorter's brown eyes glint with a shade darker. Aye roughly hugs him closer. " Mine , to have and to hold."
Akk rolls his eyes, making a half-hearted —giggley— attempt to squirm out of Aye's hold. "To pester and to annoy."
Aye nods slowly, like the poster child of innocence he is. Then he tip-toes so his lips are brushing Akk's earlobe and whispers, "To love and to make love to, husband!"
Akk's eyes fall shut and he chuckles —his cheeks welcoming the warmth. "You're going to be insufferable now, aren't you?"
"Oh darling, I'm always insufferable."
Ever so fondly, Akk kisses his partner's forehead —soft lips on warm skin.
"What if I can't find you?" Akk asks, pulling away. "In the next life." It's a silly question, but they just got married on a boat so what really is silly.
"Then I will." Aye says simply and there's a fierceness in his eyes, one that Akk admires resolutely. "Always, Akk. I'll always find you."
And Akk believes him. But because it's them, he adds, "You're planning to take your stalker tendencies to the next life, huh?"
"If push comes to shove, yes." Aye shrugs. "Besides, my stalker tendencies? I clearly remember a broody, sexy prefect , following me around our school like a lost puppy."
"I don't even know what you're on about. I think old age is getting to your head, Shortstop."
"Really? Bold of you to say that when you're the one getting glasses soon."
"We don't know that yet, no talking about it until our appointment with the doc!"
"Fine fine, back on track then." Aye smirks, and puts a tentative finger on the taller's chest. "Tell me you remember sniffing my jackets, trailing me to cafes, crumbling at my touch, your eyes begging me to..."
Akk pushes the shorter boy playfully. "Someone just lost their kissing privileges for the night."
"Hey!" Aye protests, brows going up in a funny scandalized furrow. "What about our first kiss as husbands!?"
"Make do with the one you got on the forehead."
"I want one on the mouth." Aye puckers his lips and leans close to Akk. "My lips are jealous."
"Jealous of your own forehead?"
"Yes.”
“Idiot." Akk snorts, taking a few cheeky steps back.
"Ai'Akk, jubi jubi!" Aye whines as he follows after, even stomping his feet like a bratty 3 year old to add onto the theatrics.
"No." Akk's adamant, even though he knows his sparkling eyes are betraying him.
"Naaaa, Akk… na na na?" And that's the end of Akk's resolve. Two seconds of whine-y Aye.
Giggling, Akk places frisky little pecks on Aye's cheeks, chin and the tip of his nose. Exactly how the shorter boy loves them. "Happy?"
"Yes." Aye's smiling with his entire face —crescent eyes and a full set of teeth on display. "But now lemme taste it." The little nuisance licks his lips, making a show of it.
Akk's on his limits, and really wants to jump the guy in front of him. But instead, with a cocky head tilt, he replies, "I'm saving it for the next life."
"Okay." Aye accepts readily. "Okay, we'll save this one. But would you look at this," The shorter lifts his wrist up in surprise, looking between Akk and the new watch he got as a Christmas present. "...it's time for our next kiss already."
"You're ridiculous." Laughing, Akk steps further back.
"And you ... are going to kiss me senseless in less than 10 seconds."
"Wishful thinking."
"Wanna bet, husband dearest?"
High on laughter, Akk stumbles back a little more and his legs hit the bedside from behind. "You really don't quit, do you?"
"I've been called stubborn by some but surprisingly, I do quit when needed."
"Mhm?" Akk drops down on the single bed and lifts a brow in invitation.
"But if it's you..." Aye closes the distance, grinning like a cheshire cat. He locks his arms around Akk's neck and climbs up the taller’s lap, straddling him with ease. "...not a chance."
Pulling him close, Akk kisses the grin off his husband's face —all consuming and binding.
Late into the Night / The Boat
Akk
The shorter cuddles into him, still blissful and happy and Akk closes his eyes —exhaustion and sleep finally catching up with them.
“Do you think we might actually get that baby now?” The shorter yawns into his chest and continues, “We worked really hard on it tonight.”
Akk lets out a puff of laughter, too exhausted for anything else.
“Sorry, Shortstop, the chances are slim.”
Aye doesn't respond and Akk starts to softly comb the shorter's hair. They lie like that for a while and when Akk thinks Aye has fallen asleep, he whispers into silence.
“A family of our own though… sounds nice. I'm not sure if either of us is ready for a kid right now but a cat could be a start.” After a beat —and to Akk's surprise— he feels Aye place a soft kiss on his chest where the shorter’s face is buried.
“Mmm promise to get one, my love.” Aye’s so sleepy, he sounds barely conscious and if it wasn't for the kiss the shorter gave him just now, Akk would have thought he imagined the words. But that wasn't the case and the promise leaves a warm feeling in his chest. It's a promise of a future together —a long term plan.
So, with a smile and a promise, Akk lets sleep consume him —his husband tucked safely by his side.
~present
Aye
"Has it really been four years?" Akk mouths the words, looking up and into the shorter's eyes. Curled into Aye's arms like that, you can't tell the man has a good 8 inches on him. Aye leans down to bury his face into Akk's hair —ruffling it a little and eliciting a tiny laugh out of the taller.
"Mhmm sounds unbelievable, husband dearest?"
Akk shrugs and there's a mischievous undertone to it. "You've been annoying me with a legal claim for quite a while now..."
"Uh-huh." Aye puckers his lips and nods —in the cheeky way he does when he's being playful.
"So what do you have to say for yourself?" Akk lifts a brow and rests his chin on the other's chest.
"Just that..." Aye takes the glasses off of Akk's face to put them on his. "I've had the time of my life annoying you, you're welcome." He boops his husband's nose.
"Idiot." Akk chuckles, making the other grin happily.
"You realize this means our babies are almost three as well." Aye and Akk had got the cats for each other as their first anniversary present.
Akk's face softens. “Hm.”
“You know, I didn't take you as a cat person when we first met.”
“I pegged you as one right away, you had five different colors of your dear ‘Caturday’ shirt.”
“One of my favorite purchases.”
“I know.” Akk chuckles. “Wait, but why did you think I wasn't a cat person… because I was so attached to that dog on our campus, what was his name… Singto?”
"Hmm, kinda, but also remember how you’d jump out of your skin at the sight of cats?”
“What?” Akk shoots up into a sitting position. “What gave you that idea?”
“There was this one time, we sneaked into school at night, I think we were in the locker rooms, when this cat popped out of nowhere and you practically climbed me.”
“I clearly remember jumping in front of you to save you. And I'm sure I told you as much.”
“Akk it's been years, my darling. You don't have to lie to impress me anymore.”
“I didn't lie to impress you, okay.”
“You admit you did lie, then.”
“Nooo… and why did I need to impress you anyway, you were already in love with me.”
“Was I, really?” Aye lifts a brow and scoots closer to the taller so their knees knock.
“Yes.”
He kisses Akk sweetly, licking his way into the other's mouth until he tastes the hot chocolate the two just finished. When they break away, Aye whispers, “I believe you, Bigfoot, because honestly, I can't remember a time when I wasn't in love with you.”
Akk smiles against his husband's mouth. “You’re so cheesy sometimes, you give me goosebumps.” Aye takes this a cue and starts leaning in again but Akk pushes him away with a chuckle. His ears are a deep shade of red.
Aye wants to protest when the taller suddenly turns around to peek behind the couch and declares, “Let’s check in on the kids.”
Aye huffs fondly, but mirrors the other and leans across the couch's back to stop the cats. Montow's attacking the ornaments on the Christmas tree, like they personally offended him. Vaanjoy is peacefully asleep next to the wrapped boxes, which reminds Aye of— "Presents! I wanna put the kids into the presents I bought for them!"
The other looks at his watch with a serious frown. "Aye, I don't know if it's—"
This is the third time he's being refused, and Aye's had enough!
"Please say it's time, I want my present naaa!" He cuts Akk off to whine. "You've already made me wait too long, and I don't understand why we need to open them at a specific time anyway. Don't you see, Akk, all those presents have been staring at me since last night, and the babies are practically begging me to—"
Akk clamps a hand on his husband's mouth, shutting him up. "Let's open the presents."
Aye pecks the palm covering his mouth and then jumps off the couch —happy— to run off upto the tree. "Race you to them!"
Akk follows right after, snorting and shaking his head.
They start with the kid's presents first and the husbands take turns to open the bag the other got for the cats. Vaanjoy is nestled in Akk's lap now, and Montow has taken a break from punishing the ornaments and has his head popped up on Aye's knee, eyeing the bags with purpose.
Akk bought more toys —he's been spoiling their kids with toys since forever— it's sun and moon plushies this time. And yes, they already have a range of celestial themed plushies lodged in every nook and cranny of their home.
"These were the new arrivals they had, and they're crazy soft." Akk smiles, fixing his glasses —he grabbed them from Aye to open the presents.
"I love how you always stick to the theme, darling." Aye grins and passes one to the cat next to him, who starts pawing at the soft toy urgently.
He loves it!
"Your turn!" Aye sing-songs.
Akk laughs when he peeks inside the other bag, pulling out two tiny identical cloaks. They're forest green and very Christmas-y —the helm of the hood has a string of colorful pom-pom balls. But what's adorably ridiculous is the Eclipse symbol they both have printed on top. The same symbol the two men have at least on a dozen customized pieces —socks, shirts, scarfs, caps, bags, boxers, hoodies, blankets, doormat, cushions, towels, aprons; all Ayan's courtesy over the years. They have enough to start their own line of Eclipse merch at this point, and Aye’s proud!
"You got the cats their very own Eclipse outfit?"
"I can't believe it took me this long to get them their very own Eclipse outfit!" Aye shakes his head, disappointed in himself.
"You have a problem, Shortstop." Akk snorts, but he's already started putting the cloak over Vaanjoy's head with a silly smile.
"You're just being petty because I refuse to tell you where I get these from, Bigfoot."
"Hm? See if I help you put this on Montow now. You're on your own, sweetheart."
"Who said I need your help?" Aye nods pointedly, giving his husband the stink eye. He then turns to address the gray cat who's victoriously sitting atop his new sun plushie. "It's just you and me, baby. Let's show Papa Akk we don't need him."
Aye really needed the taller's assistance because after 5 minutes all he's got to show are two tiny claw scratches on his wrist and the cloak half dangling off Montow's head. "Help me!" He whines.
"What's that?"
"Ai'Akk! Na..." Aye pouts, lifting his wounded —barely scratched— arm.
His husband obliges, happily mumbling. "I win."
At last, when their babies are off to explore the living room —with their new matching outfits on— Akk picks up the remaining two present boxes.
They exchange them and Akk calls, "You first."
Aye grins at the tiny box in his palm, it's the perfect size of a ring box. "Do you plan on proposing to me again tonight?" He lifts a brow playfully.
"I don't, my ridiculous human. That's your department."
"I'm just saying, I'm up for getting proposed the second time if I get the honeymoon sex later tonight."
"That can easily be arranged... without us needing to exchange rings again." Akk tilts his head, and there's this cockiness to it that's making Aye want to take him right under their Christmas tree. But alas, no sex in front of the kids!
"Yea?" The shorter settles on leaning up close to the other and placing a tiny peck on Akk's nose tip. "Deal?"
Akk chuckles, "Deal, now open it."
Aye opens it. It's a pin —slightly bigger than their old school pins and a little more sturdy. Pins have always meant a great deal to them, but this might just be a little more special. It has 3 different cats, arranged in a circle with celestial designs. It's incredibly beautiful!
When he looks up to meet Akk's sparkling eyes, the taller speaks, "The gray one is Montow. White one is Vaanjoy. And the black cat with the moon engraving is me. This way, all three of us will always be with you, even on days we're not there in person. You'll never be alone."
Aye knew the minute he saw the pin what it translated to, but hearing Akk say the words, the shorter melts. When he speaks, his voice cracks a little. "Put it on for me."
Akk's smile is brighter than the lights on their Christmas tree as he leans forward, fastening the pin on his husband's sweater.
It's Akk’s turn to open his present. “You got me a book.” He whispers and smiles as he carefully tears it open, only to realize his mistake. “It’s a journal?” It's pretty and honestly, quite similar to teacher Dika’s journal that Aye had carried around during their school days.
“Yes. Remember how crazy you were to steal mine back in school? I finally got you your very own.”
Akk laughs, hugging the silly notebook to his chest. “Thank you, I love it. I'll keep it safe in a locker.”
He’s admiring the pretty leather cover when Aye prompts—
“No, open it, there's something written inside.”
Akk lifts a brow and obliges. The first page on the right, reads:
‘100 REASONS TO LOVE MY BIGFOOT’
Akk turns to the shorter with wide eyes. “Ai’Aye, what is this?”
“Read and find out.”
Akk turns a page hurriedly, and on each page finds a little sentence.
- I love how he drools in his sleep and some days if I'm lucky, I get to run a hand across his lips to smear it all over and make it worse.
- I love how he tries to be so cool but always ends up being ridiculously cute.
- I love how he's addicted to my smell and tries to hide it but fails every time he's anywhere close to my clothes or neck or hair. [He's been blatantly sniffing me since day one and after a decade, my Bigfoot still hasn't learnt.]
- I love how he's a terrible cook. No human has looked as adorable as my Bigfoot when pouting at yet another successfully burnt dish.
Akk looks up with an exasperated sigh. "Did you make a list to annoy me, Ai’Aye?"
Aye audibly gasps. "What do you take me for, I would never do such a thing!"
"This is right up your alley, Aye,” Akk deadpans, “You know you totally would."
"I totally would." Aye giggles, but then he schools his face. "Not today though. This is my very romantic confession, my love."
"But you're making fun of my cooking again." Akk frowns, sulking like the little kitten he is. Exactly what Aye was fishing for. Gotcha sweetheart :)
"I love that you're bad at it because then I get to cook for you." Aye has spent many a weekend in the other's family home, learning Akk's favorite food dishes from the husband's mum.
A shy smile takes over Akk's lips and Aye claims it with his mouth. A couple seconds in, the taller pushes him away bashfully, fixes his glasses, "Let me read,” and flips a page in the journal.
- I love when he sulks and I can jubi jubi the prettiest frown off his face.
Akk huffs, catching on to Aye's antics but his face is so clearly soft, and Aye adores it.
- I love his smell, but what I really love is when he smells of me.
Akk bites his lower lip, speaking without looking up from the notebook in front of him. "I love smelling like you too."
- I love how he is taller than me and I have to look all the way up into his eyes —get on my toes to reach his lips— every time he pulls me close.
"Hm?” Akk lifts a playful brow. “You love being the shorty between the two of us?"
"I'll proudly admit that it's hot when you tower over me."
Akk laughs, with his head thrown back. "You're unbelievable, Shortstop."
- I love when he calls me Shortstop. [Don't tell him but it's a major turn on.]
"How are you doing this?" Akk cries, but he looks more amused than surprised.
"I'm smart."
Akk sighs fondly.
- I love when he gives me kisses all over my face. [Major turn on #2. Please refer to point 69, it may or may not have an extensive list of my turn ons.]
Akk giggles, pulling his husband in and placing sweet kisses all over his face. "There really is an extensive list at point 69, isn't there."
"What do you think?"
Akk shakes his head, happily. “I love your ridiculous ass, I love you.”
- I love how he's my mom's favorite person. [The woman loves him more than her own son.]
“My Ma openly calls you ‘favorite son’ so don't even get me started.” Akk looks incredulous but Aye knows the taller loves how much his parents adore Aye.
"It's a fair trade, if you ask me.”
Akk agrees with a shrug.
- I love how amazing he is with his students. [He's so strong to go back into the setting that houses such terrible memories, simply to have a chance to make things a little better for our Nongs. I'm proud of my Bigfoot every single day.]
- I love how he cares for our kids and loves them with everything in him. [I can’t wait to see him with our human kid someday... soon.]
Akk brushes their shoulders together with a smile as bright as the sun.
- I love his smile, his beautiful sunshine smile —with the loveliest dimples— that I get to wake up to every morning.
- I love how smart he is and can seamlessly hold his ground against me. I love our fights, every last disagreement we've ever gotten into, because at the end of the day he makes me feel alive. [Of course, the make-up sex is mind-blowing so that's an excellent incentive.]
“Liar, it’s solely about make-up sex, isn't it?” Akk nudges him playfully.
“Quit asking me if you already know.”
- I love how he throws me around in Judo —so effortless and sexy. [I can also tell he's consciously looking out for me everytime he does, because he's kind like that.]
- I love how he throws me around in our bed —just as effortless and sexy.
- I love when he showers me —always so gentle with his touches— and then dries my hair.
- I love how I get to worship his upper lip —mine alone to taste.
- I love how he's always dressed so properly so it's extra satisfying when I ravish his work suit right after school.
- I love how he knows exactly how to please me —in ways I didn't think were possible. He's so good to me, sweetly making love until our souls leave our bodies.
Akk's face is burning by the time he reaches the 20th point. "Ai'Ayeeee, why did this suddenly turn horny?"
"I love when you turn red." Aye give the other a cheeky pout. "I was aiming to see the pretty flush on your face."
"What blush? I don't blush!" Akk states, blushing harder. "You blush. You're blushing right now." He pointedly turns a page while Aye chuckles.
- I love when he blushes and then denies it like his life depends on it.
Akk looks horrified. "You're practicing witchcraft or something?"
"No. But after a decade together, you're very predictable, my love."
“Are you calling me boring?” Akk mumbles.
“I'm saying that I know you real well. I'm calling you mine .”
Akk’s lips twitch —he's holding back a smile— and he continues reading without another word.
- I love how he pulls me into him every time I have a nightmare and then doesn't stop running a hand through my hair until one of us falls asleep.
- I love how he cares for me when I'm sick and lets me care for him when he's sick.
- I love how some days when he wants a kiss, he sneaks up behind me and whispers, 'I want to punch you, Shortstop.'
- I love the pretty mole on his chin and how I get to brush my lips against it anytime I want.
Akk’s fingertips absentmindedly touches his chin, but his eyes are still glued to the page. Aye, who's right beside him, places a kiss on his shoulder, making the taller look up —like he broke out of a reverie. Akk’s eyes are red and full to the brim and Aye loops his arm around the other.
- I love when I wake up to his face buried in my hair and he's still fast asleep, evenly breathing me in. He really doesn't need to do a lot to put a blinding smile on my face.
- I love how he saves all his dirtiest jokes for me, to quote one of our favorite songs.
- I love when he sings with me... and when he sings for me. [Making music with him is very dear to me.]
“Let's work on a new song soon.” Akk whispers —his voice is starting to crack now and Aye hums kindly.
- I love our late night conversations about everything and nothing. I adore the way he talks about his passion and loves.
By the time Akk gets to the very last point of Aye's list —halfway through the journal— he has streaks of tears running down his cheeks.
- I love how 100 doesn't come close to all the reasons I can possibly love him for and how if I keep going, this journal won't be big enough to hold them all. So instead of writing more, I'll try to show him, every single day, just how completely and foolishly, I love my Bigfoot.
Akk drops the journal in his lap and falls into the shorter’s embrace, where he breaks down —his shoulders shaking from the impact.
Aye anticipated his husband getting emotional from the present, but he didn't expect so many tears. "Shhh, hey, sweetheart it's okay, I love you." He whispers, running a hand through the taller's hair.
"I, I know!" Akk snorts through his sniffles. "You made that very clear… I'm just, I'm not sure what I did to deserve it." He mumbles into the shorter's sweater.
"You opened yourself to the love I had for you, Akk, the love you deserved. You loved yourself enough to let me in and that's why we're here now."
Akk's hold tightens around his husband's waist, and Aye feels a tiny nod press into the crook of his neck. He smiles.
Warm, happy, content —words to perfectly describe Ayan’s state right now.
