Work Text:
Beep. Beep. Beep.
“Ughh,” Kazuha rubs at his eyes, prying them open to turn off his alarm. He wriggles his arm out from under Scaramouche’s grip, who lets out a grumble. Kazuha freezes, Scaramouche squeezes him tighter “I’m here,” Kazuha assures him.
“Turn off your alarm, idiot,” Scaramouche mutters, burying his face in the nape of Kazuha’s neck. Kazuha clicks the button on the clock, turning around to see a grumpy Scaramouche glaring at him. “Why are you getting up so early?”
“I have an 8am meeting,” Kazuha stammers, placing a kiss between Scaramouche’s bangs.
“I thought you requested today off?”
“It’s a mandatory meeting I’m afraid.”
“Hmph,” Scaramouche tugs the covers up to his lips, enveloping himself in the comforter and mountain of pillows on their bed, “I thought today was just going to be the two of us..” he murmurs.
“And it will be,” Kazuha promises, “I’ll be back before noon.”
Scaramouche’s eyes narrow, “You better be.” Kazuha gently untangles Scaramouche’s arms from his torso, the smaller man grumbles further as he watches Kazuha sit up. There’s a dull ache in Kazuha’s back, the fresh bumps of scratches that rake across his shoulder blades. The small sound of giggles comes from the bed behind him. “You have something on your back.”
Kazuha smirks, “And who’s fault is that?”
“Hehehe, mine.” The giggles get louder. Kazuha stands up before Scaramouche could drag him back to bed. Scaramouche’s eyes darken, Kazuha can feel his husband’s gaze digging itself into the back of his neck. “You better be,” he sighs. There’s the sound of blankets rustling as Scaramouche turns his back to Kazuha, facing the wall while Kazuha gets dressed.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” Kazuha promises, placing a swift kiss to Scaramouche’s head before he leaves through the door.
…
Kazuha wasn’t back. It was 12:45, and Kazuha wasn’t back yet.
“I’ll be back before noon,” his ass. Something was wrong, and Scaramouche was going to figure it out. Simply waiting around for Kazuha to get home and waste his birthday sulking in their tiny apartment wasn’t an option to Scaramouche.
So now he’s in the little corner bookshop, where books line every wall and counter. The old pages leaving that dusty smell linger on in the air. Tiny lamps and fairy lights illuminate the shelves, cropping up in spots with comfy chairs and blankets that make Scaramouche want to cozy back up in bed.
‘Too bad Kazuha isn’t here,’ he thinks as he peruses the poetry section. His fingers trace over the covers; feeling the groves of the canvas and smoothness as he walks along the shelving. ‘He’d enjoy this.’ Scaramouche sighs, picking up a book with golden lettering sprawled across the front.
No, this wasn’t about Kazuha. This was about Scaramouche. Today is his day, not Kazuha’s.
Scaramouche holds the book under his arm, meandering his way back to the front. The bell above the door dings, a cold breeze forces itself through, the chill causing Scaramouche to shiver into his scarf.
After checking out, Scaramouche pushes open the door, tucking his nose into the knitted fabric. The last leaves that cling onto the trees drift in the wind, the few stragglers walking by burrowing their heads into their coat collars. Scaramouche can see his breath in front of him, its heat warming his cheeks.
His watch vibrates with a notification, and as he checks it, it’s only reminding him of the purchase he had made in the bookstore. ‘Really, was that really relevant?’ Scaramouche scoffs, briskly walking towards the street and his car. The winter chill sends a shiver down Scaramouche’s spine.
While he’s walking, a storefront with noodles of all kinds advertised on silk cushions with red ribbon draped in front of them. The steam from them creates a fog against the glass. The menu is plastered on the window, it’s filled with nearly every different ramen and sushi dish that exists. His eyes scan over the items, before he lands on it. He hums contently, seeing that shimi chazuke was something they served was enough to calm his nerves for the moment. He’ll have to bring that up with Kazuha to see if they can go sometime.
He could also just go now. And yet, it feels wrong to go without Kazuha. But it’s his birthday, and Kazuha is not here, so he might as well enjoy it as much as he can without Kazuha. Who cares about Kazuha, it’s Scaramouche’s birthday, not Kazuha’s, Scaramouche should be able to enjoy his birthday however he pleases.
Enjoying his birthday doesn’t really happen without Kazuha though.
Who cares, he shouldn’t be dependent on others to make his birthday bearable, he’s spent it alone in the past anyway. Considering Kazuha isn’t around right now, and had definitely forgotten, Scaramouche might as well spend his birthday the same way he did when he was alone; doing any work to take his mind off of the fact that it was his birthday.
Kazuha viewed it as something to be celebrated, living another year on this dreadful planet. Scaramouche hadn’t understood why, and he still doesn’t fully understand why it must be such a big occasion, but perhaps he’s gotten used to Kazuha’s antics enough to miss them. To miss that his birthday wasn’t being as proudly celebrated as it was in the last few years.
Scaramouche doesn’t enter the restaurant, no, he goes back home.
Kazuha still wasn’t there, the apartment was still as cold and empty as when Scaramouche left it at 12:45, it was 2:00 now. It’s been two hours since the time Kazuha had given him to expect him back by. How drawn out could an 8am meeting be to drag into the middle of the afternoon?
Something is definitely wrong. There’s been no messages, no calls, no act of communication from Kazuha. It was almost like, Kazuha had abandoned him, on his fucking birthday.
Of course, he was bound to get tired of Scaramouche eventually. Scaramouche had planned for this, but to say the sting wasn’t there would be a lie. Kazuha had assured him that he wouldn’t be like the others, like his mother, Niwa, and the doctor who Scaramouche would rather forget.
Even with all those promises that had been whispered to Scaramouche before he fell asleep, Scaramouche knew that Kazuha was just like them. He was too difficult to be around for anyone to actually stay with him.
Scaramouche slumped into his desk chair, opening his work account on his desktop. He sits shorter than usual, slouching towards the computer, hoping that grading some exhausted college student essays will lighten his mood.
…
“I thought you said you’d be ready at 8?” Kazuha asks, deeply sighing as Sethos pulls his arm through the jacket’s sleeve. He’s been waiting in Cyno’s and Tighnari’s living room for two hours only to find a very asleep Sethos at his gaming pc with Minecraft running in the background.
“I wasn’t expecting to fall asleep midway through my play through either man,” Sethos says, grabbing Kazuha’s car keys from the counter.
“I told Scara I’d be home before 12! It’s nearly 11!” Kazuha follows Sethos, wrapping his scarf over his shoulder. “You know how Scara gets, I’m going to ruin his day if I’m not home soon-“
“Without a gift?” Sethos raises an eyebrow, unlocking the door to Kazuha’s car.
“Scara isn’t typically one for gifts..” Kazuha utters, sitting down in the passenger’s seat. “I just don’t want to worry him,” Kazuha sighs, buckling his seatbelt and resting the back of his head on the headrest, “Maybe I should text him-“
“No! We can’t let him know of our location! This is meant to be a big surprise,” Sethos interrupts, revving up the engine.
“Me messaging him will not let him know of our location, I assure you.”
“Still, we must be completely anonymous.”
Kazuha sighs, “Fine, do you still have the supplies in the trunk?”
“I put them in there when you were “yapping” with Tighnari,” Sethos says, shifting the gear as they drive through the neighborhood.
“Mhm,” Kazuha hums, looking out the window as they drive by the little houses that line the street.
…
‘Happy Birthday Scara!’ The voice message says, Collei’s voice ringing through his ears. ‘Sethos and- “Collei! No! It’s a surprise-“ Yeah I know! I was going to say that you and- “Don’t say their name!”’
Of course Collei and Sethos were up to some shenanigans on his birthday, he would be a fool to expect anything else.
Scaramouche looked back at the paper on his screen, every comment he left felt too picky, too personal. This kid had just turned in a decent paper and here Scaramouche was, tearing it to shreds because his husband had neglected his birthday. How cute.
Maybe a nap would be beneficial, he could rest, and maybe when we wakes up he’ll realize that this whole day was just an elaborate dream that his paranoid mind came up with to entertain itself.
Scaramouche trudges his way through the narrow hallway that connects his office to their room, the wood creaking beneath his feet. The dry air picks at his nose, every breath becoming harsh to his skin. Scaramouche collapses onto the bed, snuggling beneath the cool covers that are flung over onto Kazuha’s side of the bed. He relishes in the fleeting feeling of warmth that had been left there by Kazuha earlier this morning.
Scaramouche would never admit it to anyone, not even to himself, but he wants Kazuha to be here. He wants Kazuha to assure him that everything will be okay, and that he’s only overthinking this whole mess. To be going over the suggested time, and not alert Scaramouche at all though, that wasn’t like Kazuha. This whole day wasn’t like Kazuha. The Kazuha he knew would skip a mandatory meeting to spend time with Scaramouche on his birthday, not.. Not say anything until the morning of, and then not come home on time.
It’s just, why did Kazuha have to be pulling shit like this today?
…
“Sethos, please let me at least text him, it’s been an hour,” Kazuha pleads, bouncing his leg as he and Sethos wait in a coldly lit room.
“Nuh uh, he can’t let him know anything,” Sethos affirms, “This has to be the ultimate surprise, it’ll make his day!”
“Sethos, as sweet as this is, Scara will literally kill me for this.”
“I’ll be on prosecution if that happens, don’t worry.” Kazuha sighs at Sethos, burying his head in his hands. Scaramouche will feel so betrayed, today was meant to be Scarmouche’s birthday, they were meant to spend it together. It wasn’t meant to be Kazuha spending nearly three extra hours in an animal shelter waiting room because Sethos doesn’t know how to fill out basic paperwork.
“Okay, you’re now properly authorized to see the cats,” a sweet voice chirps from behind them. Kazuha stands up first, walking towards the door with paw stickers that line the window.
“Thank you,” Kazuha says, keeping a cheerful tone in his words. As he pushes open the door he’s meant with the smell of cat, meows fill his ears while small, round eyes watch him warily. Sethos follows behind him, placing his hands on his hips as the entire room of cats stare the both of them down.
“So… which one would he want?”
“Scara wants an affectionate cat, but one that isn’t too clingy. He says he doesn’t have any preference on colors, but he does send me a lot of pictures and videos of black cats…” Kazuha muses, crouching down as cats come up and sniff his hand.
“Okay, okay, so get a black cat and get out?”
“No, no, we need two.”
“Two?!”
…
“I’m sure everything is okay,” Nahida says from over the phone.
“Can you tell that to, I don’t know, my irrational brain?” Scaramouche scoffs, gripping onto one of the bed’s pillows. “It’s just.. He said he’d be home before noon and it’s already 3pm.”
“Yeah, I can’t lie, that's very out of character for Kazuha,” Nahida says, a small timer going off behind her, “Sorry, that’s my oven timer.”
“No worries,” Scaramouche sighs, flopping his phone down on the mattress. This day was meant to be spent with Kazuha, not him alone or venting over the phone to Nahida.
“Augh, I’m probably being dramatic,” he mutters, staring up at the ceiling and it’s popcorn-ish texture. He’s seen this view before, but there’s usually the comforting, familiar face of Kazuha in front of him.
“I don’t think you are, I’d be worried too if I were in your position,” Nahida tells him, the sound of a pan hitting against the counter granite echoing through his phone speakers.
“Hmph, maybe..”
…
“What’re you going to name them?” Sethos asks while they carry two crates out to the car.
“That’s up to Scara,” Kazuha replies, carefully settling them both in the backseat, a pitiful mew sneaking its way out.
“Yeah, but you have two cats now, you should at least name one of them,” Sethos retorts, handing Kazuha the other crate.
“No, no, they’re for his birthday, it would be wrong of me to name them,” Kazuha explains, securing the last crate.
Sethos shakes his head, turning the car on as Kazuha shuts the backseat door. “How dead do you think you are?”
“Very dead,” Kazuha replies, fastening his seatbelt as the meows from the back grow louder, “You’re okay..” Kazuha whispers to the cats behind him.
…
Scaramouche’s ears perk as the front door of their apartment unlocks. The only people who have access to his home besides himself are Kazuha and Nahida, so maybe his husband has finally arrived home. And it only took him three and a half hours to get back home. There’s some muttering, and odd noises coming from the living room.
Scaramouche pops his head out of the covers, eyes droopy as he pulls himself out of bed. “We shouldn’t just release them, that’ll only make them more stressed,” a voice whispers.
“Okay, okay, well, I don’t know, have fun,” another says, closing a door behind them.
“Kazuha?” Scaramouche asks into the apartment, raising a brow as he creeps closer to the living room.
“Yes dear?” a tired voice replies, its sweetness sounding like music to Scaramouche’s ears. Kazuha hadn’t abandoned him, he was never going to abandon him, Kazuha wouldn’t do that. But now there’s several more questions. Why are there two pet crates in their living room? Why was Kazuha not contacting him the past few hours? Also, why was Sethos in here?
“Where were you?” Scaramouche asks, taking a seat in front of Kazuha and the two crates.
“The local animal shelter,” Kazuha gives him a weak smile, “I’m sorry it took so long, Sethos had forgotten to fill out all of the paperwork, and was late getting out of bed.. If everything had gone according to plan I would’ve been back before noon, I swear-” Scaramouche feels a smile tug at his lips, shaking his head before he gives Kazuha a quick peck on the cheek.
“On with it, why were you at the animal shelter?” Scaramouche rhetorically asks, he can tell. There’s meows coming from both crates, and the pile of cat supplies in the corner of their kitchen that weren’t there the last time he was in the kitchen was enough of a sign to figure out what Kazuha had been up to.
“I know how much you love cats, and because this is the fifth birthday of yours that we’ve spent together, I wanted to make it especially special for you..” Kazuha explains, unlatching the locks on each carrier. Scaramouche peeks down, a little fluffy black head pokes out, staring up at him with wide eyes. The cat cautiously steps out, sniffing Scaramouche before stepping closer.
The other cat zips out, zooming over to the stacks of wet food that Kazuha had placed on the kitchen counter. “You get to name them,” Kazuha says, scooting closer to Scaramouche. The carpet rubs against his fingers, but Kazuha doesn’t mind, seeing as Scaramouche’s face is flushed and there’s a smile that his husband can’t quell.
Scaramouche looks back to him, “Did you lie to me about the meeting to cover up this operation?” he asks, petting the cat’s head, its soft, black fur flattening under Scaramouche’s delicate fingers.
“I didn’t want to,” Kazuha admits, “but I’ve now learned why you don’t rely on Sethos for anything that has strict deadlines.”
Scaramouche laughs, picking up the cat that had settled in his lap, “You see what one of your fathers’ is like? I assure you, I won’t be as disorganized as him,” he tells the cat, raising his voice’s pitch. The black cat gives a little meow in response, “Oh? Vocal aren’t you? You remind me of my aunt’s old cat.”
The other cat peeks out from around the corner, it’s white fur blending in with the stained wood. “C’mere Tama,” Kazuha coos.
“So you named one of them?”
“Sethos peer pressured me.”
“Tsk, this is why I can’t let you go anywhere without me, you’re too nice,” Scaramouche chuckles, scratching the cat’s cheek when it walks over. “I think I’m going to name you ‘Kabu’.” He smiles down at the black ball of fluff in his lap. Kazuha rests his head on Scaramouche’s shoulder, his hair tickling the skin on Scaramouche’s neck.
“‘Kabu,’ I like it,” Kazuha says, his hand finding Scaramouche’s amidst the cats that have settled themselves in their laps.
“Hehe,” Scaramouche giggles, “It means ‘turnip’.”
Kazuha laughs and contently sighs, Scaramouche nuzzling his cheek against the top of Kazuha’s head. “Happy birthday my love.”
Scaramouche tsk’s, and yet his smile remains stuck on his face, “I love you.”
“I love you too, you know that I’d never leave you,” Kazuha reminds him, kissing Scaramouche’s collarbone.
“I know, I know,” Scaramouche sighs, stroking Kabu’s fur.
“Do you want to do anything else today, maybe go out and get something to eat? Or we could go birthday shopping,” Kazuha offers, petting Tama’s back as the cat drifts off to sleep.
“Hmm, I think I’d rather just spend this day with just you,” Scaramouche says, shuddering at another kiss planted on his neck by Kazuha.
“Then how shall we spend it my dear?” Kazuha whispers in his ear, a smirk teasing at his lips. Scaramouche’s face heats up, a thick wave of blush coating his face and hands.
“I think you know how I’d like to spend it,” Scaramouche quips, tossing Kazuha a sly smile.