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Light from the setting sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a gentle cozy glow over their shared apartment, contrasting greatly with the sound of hurried footsteps and muffled shouts inside.
"Satoru, hurry up! We're already thirty minutes late!" Suguru called from the hallway as he tugged on his coat.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Satoru's voice sounded from somewhere in the apartment, sounding faintly flustered.
“Satoru!”
“Hey! If you didn’t want a quickie–”
“Me!?!” Suguru sounded affronted, face aflame. “You–!”
“Not my fault you look so damn good in those pants,” he heard Satoru say. Suguru rolled his eyes, not able to truly be mad at him. He heard Satoru snickering but his laugh tapered off followed by a hissed expletive.
“Are you okay?” Suguru asked, taking a step down the hall.
But before he could advance further Satoru appeared in the doorway of their bedroom, his hair slightly disheveled and a look of mild panic in his eyes. He was holding up a pair of socks but his gaze was on nothing and everything all at once, darting around the room, clearly looking for something.
Suguru raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "What's the hold up? You look like you're on a scavenger hunt."
Satoru tossed the socks onto the bed and turned back toward the living room, clearly agitated. "It's nothing. Nothing. Just misplaced something."
Suguru watched as Satoru darted around the room, rummaging through drawers and under furniture.
"Are you sure it’s nothing?" Suguru asked, now genuinely concerned and their lateness temporarily forgotten.
Satoru glanced at him briefly, a fleeting smile on his lips. "Yeah, don’t worry about it, love. Just—give me a minute."
Suguru watched Satoru disappear into their bedroom again. And then just a few seconds later he heard a muttered exclamation and a sound of relief.
Moments later, Satoru stepped out of the bedroom hair messed in his usual perfect way, not a wrinkle on his clothing, looking composed and casual, as if nothing had happened.
He walked up to Suguru, wrapping his arm around his waist. "Alright, ready to go?" he asked, as if he wasn’t the one to cause their delay–
Suguru studied Satoru’s face but Satoru gave nothing away.
"You sure you’re okay? You look a bit out of breath."
"Just had a minor crisis. But everything’s fine now, don’t worry baby,” he said with a grin, kissing him softly. “Let’s get going. We don’t want to miss the fun."
Suguru raised an eyebrow but let it go. "Alright, lead the way. But you know, if you ever wanted to tell me what you were looking for, you can.”
Satoru chuckled, eyes bright. "I know.”
The dimly lit bar buzzed with chatter and laughter and the clink of glasses. Suguru might have missed the few glances he and Satoru drew from customers when they entered the establishment, but Satoru sure didn’t.
They sat with their old classmates at a large private booth in the corner, drinks and snacks already spread across the table. Satoru sat with one arm casually draped over Suguru’s shoulders, greeting their friends.
“Nice to see you two,” Shoko said, raising her glass. “What’s the occasion this time?”
“Do we need one?” Satoru replied with a grin. “Just wanted to hang out with my dear friends. Plus Utahime.” He gave her a brief nod, a mischievous smile on his face.
“Don’t tease her,” Suguru chastised while Utahime shot Satoru an angry glare.
“I’m not teasing,” Satoru said innocently just as a waitress came by. Satoru ordered a soda and Suguru a beer.
“I’m guessing you two are late because of something Satoru did?” Utahime asked with a bemused expression.
“Oh I did something alright,” Satoru said under his breath, an obvious smirk on his face.
Utahime wrinkled her nose. “Thats–”
“We just got caught up in something–” Suguru blushed, shaking his head. “And got delayed.”
“Caught up in something? Or on something?” Utahime snickered. “Someone?”
“Utahime!” Haibara gasped.
“Seriously? Couldn’t wait until after the drinks?” Shoko asked.
Satoru squeezed his shoulder. “Listen, I know my baby looks good when he blushes but let’s move on shall we?”
“You started it!” Utahime accused, pointing a finger at Satoru.
“Yes, you did,” Suguru agreed as they settled down. He leaned into Satoru’s side, appreciating the warmth of his body against his own. No matter how many years they had been dating he still marveled at how natural it felt to be this close to him. How easily they fit together.
“Remember the time in high school Satoru convinced us all to skip class and go to the beach?” Haibara asked, laughing. “I still can’t believe we got away with that.”
“He ended up getting sunburned,” Nanami recalled. “Serves him right.”
Satoru shrugged. “Worth it. We had a blast, didn’t we Suguru?” He made an exaggerated kissy face. “That was the first time we kissed.”
Suguru couldn’t fight his blush, ignoring his statement.
“We didn’t get away with it,” Shoko amended. “Yaga called all of our parents.”
“You always did have a knack for getting us into trouble,” Suguru chuckled, shaking his head.
“And you always had a knack for getting us out of it,” Satoru replied, pressing a quick kiss to his temple.
A moment later their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their drinks. The waitress placed the glasses on the table and as she did, her gaze lingered on Suguru.
“Can I get you anything else?” she asked, a purr in her tone.
Satoru’s arm tightened around Suguru’s shoulders immediately, blue eyes locking onto the waitress.
“No, we’re good,” he said with faux politeness.
The waitress gave a small nod, looking flustered before walking away.
Suguru snorted, elbowing Satoru into his side. “Jealous much?”
“She should have known you were off the market,” Satoru said with a shrug. “I’m literally draped all over you.”
“Platonically of course,” Shoko drolled sarcastically. “Just two friends sharing a drink. Nothing else.”
Satoru scoffed, taking big gulps from his soda like he would take a shot. He slammed down the empty glass dramatically. “Another!”
Suguru rolled his eyes. “Seriously?”
“Drink as much as you want, baby, I’m sober tonight,” Satoru said, grinning.
“You’re always sober.”
“And yet, I’m still the life of the party,” he said cheekily.
“Debatable,” Utahime interjected.
Satoru ignored her.
The group had been there for a few hours now, enjoying each other's company and reminiscing about old times. Shoko nursed her glass of whiskey, Utahime was giggling over a fruity cocktail, and Nanami, ever the responsible one, was still sipping his first beer and keeping an eye on Haibara who was already on his third drink.
Utahime, a tipsy blush on her cheeks, leaned forward into Shoko’s space, ready to unintentionally ask a question that would change the entire vibe of the night.
“Shoko…if there was anything you would change about me, what would it be?” she asked, wide eyed and curious.
The chatter around the table immediately died down.
Shoko, who had been sipping her drink calmly, looked unphased and thoughtful for a moment. Then, she replied. “Nothing, Utahime. You’re perfect just the way you are.”
Utahime smiled brightly, giggling into her hand. “Oh Shoko, you’re such a liar, that’s too sweet! But I’ll accept it.”
The group chuckled until Haibara turned to Nanami.
“What about you, Kento? Is there anything you would change about me?”
Nanami, usually so stoic, gave him a rare, small smile. “Your tendency to doubt yourself. You’re stronger than you think, Yu.”
The table erupted in “aww’s” and Haibara beamed.
Satoru suddenly turned to Suguru with a playful glint in his eyes.
“Suguru, why don’t you ask me?” he teased.
Suguru hesitated for a moment, fingers tightening around his cup. “I know I have things to change. I don’t need to hear you say it,” he admitted. “I’m too serious sometimes. I overthink everything. I tend to ruminate. A lot. I’m–”
“Suguru. Stop,” Satoru interrupted him, his expression serious. “Those things don’t make me love you any less. Ask me the question.”
Suguru sighed, looking down at the table, fingers nervously tugging at his sleeves. He really didn’t want to hear Satoru point out the flaws he knew he had. “Satoru– I know I struggle to express my feelings and I–”
“Stop,” Satoru said more firmly this time, reaching over to tilt Suguru’s chin up so he was forced to meet his eyes. “Ask me the question, baby.”
Suguru took a deep breath. “Fine, Satoru. Is there anything you’d change about me?”
Satoru, who was just so confident, opened his mouth to speak but then closed it immediately, eyebrows furrowed.
A rare flash of uncertainty crossed his face as he dropped his hand, glancing around at their friends who were watching with curious expressions, very obviously enjoying the show.
“Uh. Actually…nevermind. Maybe another time.”
Groans erupted from all around them.
“Come on, Satoru!” Utahime shouted, exasperated.
“You can’t leave us hanging like that,” Haibara added.
“Don’t chicken out now,” Shoko teased.
Even Nanami raised an eyebrow. “What’s the matter? Suddenly shy?”
Satoru’s cheeks flushed, a sight that had Suguru smiling despite his earlier reluctance.
“I mean…maybe we can talk about this in private, huh, Suguru?” Satoru asked, rubbing the back of his head.
The bar’s once lively atmosphere suddenly seemed to grow muted as Suguru found himself fixated on Satoru’s uncharacteristic hesitation.
Satoru never hesitated. Especially when it came to expressing his opinions.
If he was hesitating now then his issue must be significant–
Were his faults really that bad? Did Satoru hate something about him so much that he couldn’t even voice it—
“You don’t have to say it if it’s that awful,” Suguru said, voice quiet. “It’s fine. I’ll be right back. I need to use the bathroom.”
He slid out of the booth, ignoring Satoru’s sound of protest.
"Suguru, wait—" Satoru's voice was cut off as moved swiftly through the crowded bar.
He could hear his friends behind him.
"Satoru, what the hell?"
“Why'd you make it weird?"
"Gojo, you idiot.”
“No guys, I didn’t mean–!”
Suguru pushed open the bathroom door and leaned against the sink, gripping the edge tightly.
His mind raced.
If Satoru was so resistant, maybe he really did see something in Suguru that was too big to ignore.
But then why was Satoru even with him if there was something about him he hated so badly?
His heart ached.
See, he knew this was the problem. This is what he did. Come up with something that most likely wasn’t even a big deal but think and think and spiral –
He blinked back tears, glancing up at the mirror to look at himself.
Was this the face of the person Satoru claimed to love?
"Get a grip," he muttered to himself, splashing cold water on his face. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself before heading back to the table. He slid back into the booth to take his seat beside Satoru. Without a word, Satoru pushed a glass of water towards him, his fingers lingering on the glass for a moment before pulling back.
Suguru looked at the glass, his heart softening. It was simple but thoughtful. An olive branch.
He took a sip, the cool water soothing his throat and nerves.
"Thanks," he murmured.
Satoru reached out, placing a hand over Suguru's. "Suguru, listen. It's not what you think."
He sighed, meeting his gaze. "Then what is it, Satoru? Why did you hesitate so much?"
Satoru was staring intently at him, his concern melting away only to be replaced with determination.
“Fine. Ask me again, Suguru.”
Suguru blinked, genuinely caught off guard by the abrupt change in his demeanor. “Uh–”
“Ask me, Suguru,” Satoru urged.
Suguru paused for only a moment before he nodded.
He could take it. Whatever Satoru didn’t like about him– he would be able to accept it.
He was strong enough for that.
Right?
“Alright. Okay. Satoru-- if there was anything you would change about me, what would it be?”
Satoru grinned. “Easy,” he started, pulling out a small, velvet box from his pockets, opening it to reveal a beautiful, sparkling ring.
“Satoru–” His jaw dropped.
“Suguru,” Satoru continued. “The one thing I’d change about you is... your last name.”
He sat there in stunned silence, trying to process the meaning behind his words.
“My last name? You mean...?”
Satoru nodded. “Yeah. I want you to have my last name. I want you to be my husband. And I want to be yours.”
Suguru’s heart skipped a beat. He could feel his eyes welling up with tears of joy as he looked at Satoru. At this man who loved him. And who he loved with every bit of his soul.
“This is an awful proposal,” he sobbed, wiping his eyes.
Satoru laughed, but he too looked like he was blinking back tears. “So, Suguru? Will you marry me?”
“Yes! God, yes. Of course , I will. Who else?” He half laughed, half cried as Satoru pulled him into a tight hug. For a second the world around them faded away as they held each other.
As they pulled apart, their friends erupted into cheers and applause.
"You always know how to surprise me," Suguru whispered, keeping him close.
Satoru chuckled, gently brushing his fingers through his hair. "And I'll spend the rest of my life doing just that."
Of all the ways Suguru expected this night to go, this was definitely not one of them.
“By the way, I’ve been carrying this ring in my pocket for the past two years now.”
“What?”