Work Text:
They’ve come a long way together. From high school to life outside of Inaba, they’ve been together through thick and thin. Souji will always be there to back Yosuke up, and he knows that feeling is returned.
He’s still nervous, though. A tiny box is burning a hole in his pocket, and he’s sweating about it.
Yosuke doesn’t seem to notice, or at the very least, doesn’t mention it. He’s mesmerized by the fairy lights Souji hung around their apartment, the food spread out over the table.
“Partner, this is… amazing.” Yosuke turns to look at him, beaming. “You didn’t have to do all this.”
“I wanted to,” he insists. “Come on, sit down.” Souji smiles, gesturing to the table. When Yosuke walks up to it, he pulls out his partner’s chair for him.
“Ha, thanks. What’s the occasion?”
The sweat increases tenfold. “Oh, well. I thought it would be nice. You’ve been so busy, you know? We haven’t had a date night in a while.”
“Yeah…” Yosuke sighs, biting his lip. The sight sends a twinge through Souji’s heart. “Sorry about that.”
“No, that’s not– it’s not your fault, Yosuke.” Souji leans down to kiss the crown of his head. “Jobs are like that, I know. So I wanted to do something nice for you. Make the most of our time together, if that makes sense.”
“Well, thank you.” As Souji seats himself at the table, Yosuke offers him a small smile. He can’t help but smile back. “How long did all this take to make?”
“Mm, a few hours.”
“Well, it looks delicious. I’m so excited– thank you so much, partner. Really. This is so sweet of you.”
The twinkle in Yosuke’s eye makes his heart skip a beat, even years later. “Anything for you,” he insists.
They eat, they catch up. With how often they’re together, they don’t miss much, but there are only so many hours in a day. Work wears the body out. Often they both come home wiped out, with very little energy to speak of.
A calm atmosphere fills the room. Souji hasn’t felt this way in… years, probably. Their plates are empty once again. Yosuke moves to pick them up, as they take turns cooking and washing. Souji reaches out and squeezes his hand. “Wait.”
“Hm? What’s up?” Yosuke squeezes back. “Something on your mind, partner?”
“...You could say that.” Souji breathes in deeply, his thumb smoothing over the knobs of Yosuke’s knuckles. “...It is a special occasion, actually.”
“Shit. Did I forget something?” Yosuke’s face falls.
“No, hey, c’mon.” Souji shakes his head. “Today is any other day. It’s just…”
“Bad news?”
Souji chuckles, his voice quiet. “No, no. I hope not, at least.” He reaches into his pocket, palming the box. He shuts his eyes a moment, practicing the words in his head. “We’ve known each other a very long time.”
“That’s right, eight years.”
Souji peers at Yosuke to gauge his reaction. He wants to say, Don’t be nervous , but that would likely increase his partner’s nerves.
“Eight years,” he repeats to himself, tasting those words. “The time we’ve spent together… it’s very precious to me.” Souji wets his lips. Come on. You can say it. You tell Yosuke everything. “I… Man, this is tougher than I thought. I… I love you.”
Yosuke’s nose wrinkles. “I love you, too. Geez, you’re acting real silly tonight, Souji.”
“I love you so much.” He swallows, and then the floodgates open. He offers the velvet box, his lips shaking. “Will you marry me?”
He watches Yosuke react, the way the information travels across his face. Shock, awe, and then joy, bright as the sun. Yosuke runs around the table and bounds into his arms, practically tackling Souji to the floor. He laughs, burying his face in Souji’s chest.
Souji catches his breath. A pleasant ache throbs in his bones. “So is that a yes?”
Yosuke playfully shoves him, but jubilant tears glimmer in his eyes. “Yeah, Souji. I wanna marry you.”
with this ring i solidify my resolve to you. a symbol of love everlasting, a promise to you. i will find you always, in life, in death. in sickness, in health, in trials and tribulations, i promise to be your steadfast companion.
your partner in everlasting devotion.