Work Text:
Yoriichi was a man of no worth, or so he said. He felt nothing he did was enough, but doing nothing was a failure. He worked himself day and night, trying to do something to prove to himself he was worthy. Often, he worked until he collapsed. It was never enough for him. His boyfriend hates the self-sacrificing nature of his. RIght now, he was trying to drown out his thoughts by training endlessly. Swinging his sword was the fastest method, but it wasn't working this time. He frowns,
"Darling, are you still training?"
Sumiyoshi stepped out of his house, holding a glass of water and fixing him with a worried look. Yoriichi lowers his sword, wiping sweat from his face and turning to face his lover. He shrugs, breathing to heavily to talk.
"You shouldn't be. You're still getting over that injury of yours,"
Sumiyoshi walks over, pressing the cup into Yoriichi's hands. Yoriichi drinks, suddenly aware of how tired he is. Sumiyoshi frowns, looking up at him, waiting until Yoriichi acknowledges him by glancing at him quickly.
"Come on, let's go inside,"
Yoriichi follows silently, watching the water in the glass sway. He knew that tone of voice. Sumiyoshi was gonna chew him out for being reckless- though he would be nice about it. If it were the corps doctor he would be chained to a bed and forced to wait until he was completely healed.
"Here," Sumiyoshi takes the cup, gently guiding Yoriichi to the bed. Yoriichi looks down, messing with the covers. "Hey, I'm not mad. I'm just upset. You scare me when you do this,"
"I'm sorry,"
"I know. Which is why I'm not upset. Let's just enjoy our time together, okay?"
Yoriichi nods, laying down and snuggling into Sumiyoshi's chest. His boyfriend always made him feel better.
It was Valentine's Day, and Yoriichi wanted to thank Sumiyoshi for being his boyfriend. The problem is, he's not very good with words. It's always bothered him. He was so different from others. Social cues, tones, and emotions were so hard to understand. Not to mention body language. But no one else seemed to struggle. When others wanted to talk or try new things, he would rather stay quiet and continue with his routine. So, how is he supposed to tell Sumiyoshi he loves him if he doesn't know how?
"Make him a card. Then you don't have to say anything," Suyako, Sumiyoshi's childhood friend and current roommate suggested. Yoriichi had gone to her for help, embarrassingly. She lived with them and helped Sumiyoshi take care of the house when Yoriichi was injured or on a mission.
"How?"
"Just, ya know, write something nice about him on a decorative paper. Then give it to him!" Suyako starts rambling about past Valentine's Day cards. Yoriichi was half listening. A card? That would simplify things. And maybe some flowers? He wouldn't have to talk at all!
He stands, Suyako's speech cutting off abruptly as he exits. He leaves her bewildered and mid sentence.
Yoriichi quietly places the roses he picked from the garden on the futon. Next to it was a card with Sumiyoshi's name on it. He would decorate it, but he sucks at drawing, so he wrote a poem instead. It was easier to write down how he felt than to say it out loud. He still spent a solid hour trying to get it right, however. It had to be perfect. He straightens, examining the display. t would have to do. Thank goodness Sumiyoshi was out buying groceries.
"Yor', did you do this?"
Yoriichi turns to see Sumiyoshi holding the card and the roses.
"Yeah. Do you like it?"
"I love it! Thank you!" Yoriichi blushes as Sumiyoshi presses a kiss to his cheek. He hugs him, and Sumiyoshi rests his head on Yoriichi's shoulder. "I love you so much,"
Yoriichi's sure his face is as red as his hair right now. It's burning, and Sumiyoshi notices.
"Aw, sweetheart! Don't be embarrassed!" He says, brushing stray hairs out of his face. "Come here, I bought you something too!"
Yoriichi holds his hand and Sumiyoshi leads him to their bedroom.
"Here,"
Sumiyoshi points to something wrapped in furoshiki by the futon. Yoriichi walks over and kneels, gently undoing the knots. The pretty swan-covered fabric falls away in layers until he gets to whats in side. It's a blanket, covered in green and black squares and incredibly soft to the touch. He moves to pick it up and makes a surprised noise when he finds it's heavier than expected.
"It's a weighted blanket," His boyfriend explains softly. "It has little pebbles and beads sown into it to mimick another body cuddling with you. I had it custom-made. I know you struggle to sleep sometimes when I'm not here, so hopefully then nights I'm out longer than usual selling charcoal you wont feel so alone,"
Yoriichi feels tears gather in his eyes. This is the nicest thing someones done for him in a long time. It must have been expensive.
"Ah, do you not like it?" Sumiyoshi asks awkwardly. "We can return-"
"No," Yoriichi cuts him off, pulling the blanket close. “I like it,”
He more than likes it, but words are failing him again. Sumiyoshi’s face breaks into a relieved smile as he crosses the room to kneel next to Yoriichi.
”I’m glad you do,”
The lean on each other for a bit, neither really wanting to move away. They each find the others presence comforting. Finally Suyako appears in the open doorway.
“Can you two be any move obvious with your love?” She teases through a yawn. “I’m trying to sleep,”
Sumiyoshi laughs, eyes crinkling with joy.
“Sorry, ‘Yako,” he says, standing up. “We’ll cuddle quietly now,”
They laugh as Suyako walks away. Sumiyoshi turns to Yoriichi and gently lays down on the futon with him, blowing out the small candle lighting the dim room. Yoriichi’s about to question why they are on top of the covers when Sumiyoshi pulls the weighted blanket over them.
The blanket is perfect. It’s not crushing, and not too light. It’s also warm, but not so much that he will over heat.
”I love you, sugar,” Sumiyoshi says softly, cupping Yoriichis head in his hands and kissing his lips lightly. Yoriichi smiles, content. Just as Sumiyoshi is almost asleep, Yoriichi whispers something back to him.
”I love you. Happy Valentines Day, darling,”