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Ace was the first one to stir from his sleep; he was always the early riser between the two. The sound of birds chirping in the early morning could be heard, as the first rays of dawn managed to peak through the blinds to illuminate the room. Turning onto his other side, he looked over at the other person in bed. His lifelong companion, Michinaga, slept peacefully, his chest falling up and down with each steady breath.
The days of the Desire Grand Prix, fighting Jyamato, and being a Kamen Rider had been put to rest years ago. And since that time, Ace and Michinaga fought, fell in love, and settled down over 60 years ago. Michinaga was nearing 86, and Ace was technically nearing 2100.
Where there was once long black hair, was now short and wispy grey. Their agile strong bodies became soft and ached with a dull pain that never goes away. Deep wrinkles, loose skin, and spots showed that they had lived a long and beautiful life.
Ace looked at his aged wrinkled hand as he gently caressed Michinaga’s face. They had spent a life-time together, and Ace treasured every moment of it.
Ace leaned in to give Michinaga a kiss on the forehead. The other man furrowed his eyebrows and groaned. Michinaga's eyelids started to flutter, showing signs of him waking up.
“Good morning, Buffa” Ace greeted, slow and articulated so the other could hear him without his hearing aids.
“Morning,” Michinaga said with a deep yawn. His voice was heavy and hoarse from sleep. Slowly, blinked opened his eyes, revealing two onyx orbs.
“Sleep well?” Ace asked, gently running his fingers through Michinaga’s hair.
“A few hours,” Michinaga grumbled. It was never easy getting the bull out of bed, even in their younger years.
"Good morning, Buffa!" Ace greeted, as he unceremoniously ripped the blanket off the bed.
Michinaga flinched, curling up into himself as he tried to preserved warmth. He let out a cute whine, his eyebrows furrowing in his sleep.
"Come on sleepy-head, it's time to get up." Ace poked the bull'scheek.
Michinaga swatted the other's hand away before rolling over. He mumbled something unintelligible before settling back to sleep.
"Michinagaaaa~" Ace drawled, moving his fingers to tickle the other's sides.
"WHAT?"
The sleepy man sat up, and pushed Ace away. His long hair was a mess, there was dried drool at the corner of his mouth, and eyes that glared daggers at the Ace. The bull was awake and ready to kill. The fox grinned before scurrying away to safety.
Michinaga rubbed his eyes, yawning. He turned to the side and slowly moved get get up from the bed. Ace moved faster as he stood up and got to the other side of the bed. Before Michinaga could protest, Ace picked up his husband.
“Put me down Geats!” Michinaga fussed, his voice much more awake than just a few seconds prior. He slapped Ace’s chest, although it was too weak to actually hurt.
“Let me spoil you,” Ace chuckled. He squeezed the man in his arms before carrying him out to the dinning room. He was thankful that his divine nature allowed him to keep his strength over the years, if only to be able to carry his husband like this.
“Pah,” Michinaga scoffed, rolling his eyes. Despite his objections, there was a tender smile on the old man’s lips. “You’re a pain in my ass.”
“And you love it,” Ace teased, gently putting Michinaga down to sit at the table.
“Go make yourself useful and make breakfast.”
Even after sixty years, Michinaga still had that stubborn fire in him. Ace took one last look at his husband before getting up to the kitchen.
“Coming right up, Buffa.”
Breakfast was a simple affair, rice, eggs, and natto. Easy to chew and good for the health. The last thing Ace wanted was to upset the other’s sensitive stomach. The meal itself was a slow and simple domestic affair. Reading the news headlines, talking about how much the world had change, reminiscing over the past for the zillionth time. Ace wished he could pause time and live in the moment with Michinaga forever.
A coughing fit broke the peace. Michinaga bending over and wheezing as he tried to clear his throat. The color on his face changed to a bright red as he struggled to breath.
“Here,” Ace grabbed a glass of water. He gently rubbed the other’s back as he slowly sipped the water.
Michinaga closed his eyes. He pressed a fist against his chest as he focused on steadying his breathing. It was a long minute before his shoulders relaxed, signaling the end of the coughing fit.
“Thank you,” Michinaga rasped out. His voice paper thin, and his lips were tinged slightly blue.
“You’re welcome.”
Ace smiled, but his eyes were somber. He was not a fool. While he treasured every moment he had with Michinaga, he worried about the toll of aging, and mourned for what the future held.
Ace blinked his eyes, trying to pull his thoughts away from such sorrows. “Let’s get you some fresh air.”
Michinaga nodded, resting his head on Ace’s shoulder. “Can you carry me?” His voice was so soft at his request, shy after making such a fuss earlier.
“Whatever you want my dear.”
Ace scooped up Michinaga up in his arms, pressing their foreheads together. He casted another look deep into those onyx orbs he fell in love with, sighing wistfully before giving him a kiss. There was no protests from the other this time, instead Michinaga simply returned the kiss.
Ace had held Michinaga in his arms many times. When he was dying during the DGP. When he and the world were split up. Late at night when it was just the two of them. But this time was the first time since they gotten married.
It was a small ceremony, just kept to their closest friends. Haruki was the ring bearer, Keiwa and Neon were best man and maid of honor respectively, and Tsumuri officiated the wedding. It was perfect. They exchanged rings and vows, and promised each other forever.
Ace swept Michinaga off his feet, the latter made a surprised noise.
"Put me down, I can walk on my own!"
"I don't want to," Ace stuck his tongue out.
"That's it, it's been a good run. We can call it off."
"Too late now," Ace grinned as he carried Michinaga over the threshold of their home. "You chose this and now you're stuck with me for life."
Michinaga pursed his lips in a pout, pretending to be mad. He idly spun the silver ring that adored his ring finger, Ace had a matching band.
"For life," Michinaga repeated with a dreamy smile and a dusty pink blush. relented with a sigh.
Ace's heart swelled with emotion at how adorable his new husband was as he leaned to steal a kiss. Michinaga squeaked in surprised but quickly returned the kiss with enthusiasm.
Ace carried Michinaga to their bedroom.
Ace carried Michinaga out to their backyard. It was a beautiful sunny day, the flowers were in full bloom, and the temperature was just right. He took them to their favorite sitting spot, a bench by the koi pond, shaded by a tree. It was idyllic, like a painting come to life.
Ace settled right by Michinaga’s side, wrapping an arm around him. His thumb idly rubbing circles into his husband's arm. The latter leaned against Ace for support. His breathing had mostly returned to normal, but it was still shallow. Ace furrowed his eyebrows as he watched the other with concern. He could not stop himself from worrying. When Michinaga turned his head to look at Ace, the fox quickly changed his expression into a smile.
“What are you looking at?”
“Just the most handsome man in the whole wide world,” Ace said with the upmost sincerity.
“Knock it off Geats,” Michinaga rolled his eyes with a huff. “I’m old and ugly.”
That wasn’t true. Sure, there were others with conventional beauty that came with youth, but they paled in comparison to sixty years of love and life. Every wrinkle, mole, and grey hair was precious. Ace took Michinaga’s hands into his own, gently running his thumb over the loose thin skin.
“You’re still as beautiful as the day I met you.”
Ace was sure, the most beautiful person in all of existence was right here in front of him.
Michinaga scoffed, but there was a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You sly fox.”
"I think of myself more of a silver fox," Ace joked, running his fingers through his grey hair.
That earned a laugh from Michinaga. "Gods, you're impossible."
"I am a god afterall," Ace shrugged mischievously.
He brought Michinaga’s hand up to give it a kiss, and gave his husband a wink. Michinaga pressed his lips into a small pout, but the tips of his ears glowed pink; the bull still falling for the fox’s flirting.
The two fell into a comfortable silence. The sounds of birds chirping up in the trees could be heard. A gentle breezed tousled their hair and the sun kept their bodies warm. It was quite peaceful. So peaceful that Ace felt his eyes begin to droop.
“Ace…”
The said man blinked, snapping his focus back. “Yes?”
Michinaga was silent for a moment before speaking again. “I have one last wish.”
Ace’s chest squeezed. He hated the tone the other was speaking, and could guess where the conversation was heading.
“Don't be like that," Ace chided, forcing his voice into a light playful tone. "You have plenty of wishes left.”
“You and I both know…” Michinaga took a deep breath. He did not finish his statement. Regardless, Ace’s heart was already gripped in grief by the mere thought. “Just hear me out, please.”
Ace frowned, his grip on Michinaga tightening as he stubbornly resisted the conversation. He was being petty and childish, but anyone would be if they were in his shoes. The pleading serious look on Michinaga's face was a strong argument though. It at least made the deity give pause to his tantrum.
“Okay,” Ace finally relented in a somber tone.
“After I’m gone…” Michinaga raised a hand to cup Ace’s cheek. Their gazes met, and Ace felt his eyes water. “Please be happy and live a good life.”
“Wh-what kind of wish is that?” Ace asked, attempting to keep his voice light. He only stumbled on his words slightly. He blinked back the tears; his eyes were already starting to sting. “Can’t you ever wish for anything for yourself?”
“I am.”
Michinaga wore a sweet and gentle smile on his face. There were crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes as he looked up at Ace with all the love in the world. Ace felt a lump form in his throat. He despised the circumstances of the wish. If it was up to him, it would never be a possibility. But the one who possessed the god's heart asked for it, and so Ace could not deny him.
“Alright,” Ace spoke after a long pause. He gently held the hand that was cupping his cheek. Turning his head, Ace kissed Michinaga’s palm.
“Consider your wish granted.”
“Thank you Ace,” Michinaga breathed out. He closed his eyes and rested his head on Ace’s shoulder. "I love you."
"I love you too Michinaga."
Ace watched the other with a somber smile. He kissed the top of the other's head before wrapping his arms around Michinaga to hold him close.
Michinaga stretched his back, trying to pop his joins to relieve some stress. He wiped his forehead with a towel as he admired his work. Where there was once solid ground, there was now a pond dug out. He had spent time researching how to build a koi pond. He dug out the land, packed it with sand and gravel, and filled it water before adding various vegetation and animal life. After a summer's worth of hard work, it was now complete.
"Wow, great job Buffa," Ace said with an impressed nod of the head. He held out a bottle of water to the construction worker. Michinaga gratefully accepted the drink.
"Thanks," Michinaga beamed proudly, happy that his hard work was already being appreciated.
"It's beautiful," Ace added, wrapping an arm around his husband's body and pulling him in close. "Just like the builder."
"Ugh, I'm dirty and gross right now," Michinaga groaned as he tried to push away from the other.
"I accept you for who you are." Ace grinned, moving in for a kiss.
"Geats!" Michinaga laughed, trying to fend off the other's advances but it was a loosing battle. If it was defeat by Geat's hand, maybe it wouldn't be too bad.
When it happened, Ace felt it in his soul. It would only make sense when a part of his own soul passed on into the next life without him. He still needed to confirm the truth, even if he already knew the answer.
“Buffa?” he whispered, his voice cracking.
There was no response.
When Ace looked to check, Michinaga looked as if he was peacefully sleeping. And a part of him clung to the hope that he was just sleeping, but Ace was not that naive.
Tears started to blur his vision.
“Michinaga?” Ace croaked, gently shaking the other.
There was still no response.
Ace let out a choked sob, his heart breaking. He wrapped his arms around Michinaga, holding him close. Rocking back and forth, Ace made vain attempts to sooth himself. He buried his face into the other man’s hair, tears freely streaming down.
It was useless.
Azuma Michinaga passed away peacefully in Ace’s arms.
And Ace could only wish that he could follow after.
"Aaah!"
Ace rubbed his eyes, the sound of Michinaga's scream waking him up. The shorter male was sitting up, panting. His eyes were wide and there was a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead. He must have had a nightmare. Ace frowned, he knew that the other struggled with PTSD after the DGP. After everything had settled back down, Michinaga had eventually opened up about the hallucinations he saw: the ghost of Toru, loosing himself and becoming a Jyamato, Beroba's taunting laugh, and all of the people who died by his hands.
Ace sat up, wrapping his arms around the other. Michinaga jumped at the contact, his body was shaking. Ace gently ran his fingers through Michinaga's hair, trying his best to comfort the latter. After a while, the smaller began to relax, curling up and burring his head into Ace's chest. No words were exchanged between the two, there was no need.
Ace began rocking Michinaga, rubbing soothing circles into his back. He hummed a soothing lullaby, the one he faintly recalled his mother singing to him.
Eventually Michinaga's shoulders dropped, his breathing steadied, and he found a peaceful sleep. Ace stayed up, guarding his lover from nightmares.
The morning sun rises, children were playing out in the fields, young couples meet and fall in love; life was beautiful. But for Ace, the world felt duller now than it did before. Colors were no longer as vivid as they once were, food tasted bland, and he just felt an icy aching numbness deep within his chest. He supposes this was what grieving was.
Despite his wishes to fade away with the wind, Ace continues on. He goes through the motions of the daily routine, set up the funeral proceedings, reach out familiar faces to spread the news. Ace keeps living, but he felt so detached from it all. It was as if his physical body was on autopilot and he was merely observing from afar.
The flowers at Michinaga’s funeral were both equally beautiful and tragic.
Old friends came and gave their condolences, the ones that were still around at least.
Keiwa and Win had passed away years ago. Sara had just passed away last year.
Neon came to say goodbye to her former comrade and life-long friend; one of her children helping push the wheelchair bound Na-Go.
Daichi was faring the test of time better due to his Jyamato nature, but he was not omitted from the effects of aging.
Haruki had grown into a strong young man. His mourning probably rivaled Ace’s, Michinaga was a father figure to him after all.
Ziin and Tsumuri looked the same as always, traveling all the way out from the distant future to pay their respects to the late Kamen Rider Buffa.
There were old co-workers, neighbors, and friends that all came along to say their final goodbyes to Michinaga.
Ace forced a cordial smile through it all, attempting to be a decent host. Some shared stories and kind words of Michinaga. Others just shared a drink. While it could never fill the missing Michinaga shaped hole in his heart, Ace was grateful that others remembered his late husband so well.
One by one, after hours of visitors and mourning, all of the guests left. Ace did not mind; he wanted some time alone to grieve. He sat in proper seiza form on the floor, looking up at the funeral photo he chose. He chose one of the last portraits Michinaga took, he was around 70 when they took the photo. The photo stared back at Ace, only capturing a fraction of Michinaga's beauty.
Ace had insisted that they take some photos to commemorate their 50th anniversary together, their golden jubilee. It was no small feat, especially after everything they've been through. Michinaga had fussed and and complained, but he was the one who demanded more photos to be taken.
"If we're doing it, better go all out and get our money's worth," Michinaga huffed, fixing Ace's hair.
"Just say that you're having fun," Ace teased, ruffling Michinaga's hair in return. That had earned him a hard smack upside the head. "I love you too."
"I tolerate you," Michinaga hissed.
Ace laughed, used to Michianga's antics. After 50 years, he had yet to grow tired of them; Ace didn't think he ever will. As Michinaga continued to fuss over their appearance, Ace leaned in to give his husband a kiss.
There was a flash of light and a camera's click as the candid moment was captured.
Ace chuckled to himself at the memory before a new wave of sadness hit him. He could feel tears start to streak down his face as his breathing grow heavy. He closed his eyes tight, gripping his pants. Ace had been trying to hold himself together all day; ever since Michinaga’s passing really. But he could only hold back the torrent of emotions for so long.
Ace had over 60 wonderful years with Michinaga, a lifetime of love and memories. Now he had the rest of his divine existence to live without him. He feared that he would be be grieving everyday for the rest of eternity.
A choked sob escaped Ace’s lips.
He was alone.
How could Michinaga leave Ace behind?
Why couldn't Ace follow after him?
Ace banged a fist against the wooden floor boards, tears dripping down as he screamed.
Ace wanted to bring Michinaga back to him. Strike his name from death’s records and bring him back into Ace’s arms. He was the God of Creation; it would be an easy feat.
Ace pressed his lips together in a firm line, digging his nails into the flesh of his palms. No matter how much he wanted it, he could not act so selfishly.
Not for his sake, but for Michinaga’s.
"Why can't you leave me alone Geats?" Michinaga hissed, grabbing the collar of the other man. "Just leave me alone..."
Ace frowned. He could never do that. Ace never gave up on Michinaga throughout the DGP ordeal, and he was not going to start now. He did not know the full details of the problem at hand, it had something to do with Michinaga's estranged dad, but he was going to help and support the other. Whether Michinaga liked it or not.
"I can't do that," Ace said, his voice calm and steady. He gently took Michinaga's hands into his own, rubbing his thumbs over them. "I won't. I care too much about you."
"No you don't!" Michinaga objected, pushing Ace away. "You only care about yourself. You selfish self serving god!"
Michinaga threw a punch, it landed squarely in Ace's chest. The deity winced, but did not back away. Ace caught the second punch.
"Maybe I am," Ace admitted. Michinaga looked up, surprised at the other's words. "If that means refusing you from shutting me out, then I'll be a greedy god."
"You're the worst..." Michinaga's voice wavered as he pressed his lips into a tight thin line.
"And if I'm a greedy god then..." Ace spoke slowly. He took a step forward, raising a hand to cup Michinaga's cheek. He could fee the other man freeze under his finger tips, a soft gasp escaping between Buffa's lips. "I'll take what I want."
"You wouldn't dare."
Michinaga's words were a challenge. Despite his words, Michinaga's eyes shown with trepidation and hope. He wanted this; Michinaga wanted Ace to reach out and cross the invisible line. The line they have constantly pushed and pulled at.
From rivals to bitter enemies.
Uncertain allies becoming brothers in arms.
From friends to something entirely new.
Maybe Ace was mistaken. Perhaps the other man was fine where things stood. Michinaga was just telling him to leave. But Ace did not want that. Ace wanted to cross the line, and if he was a greedy god then no one would stop him. Ace leaned in and close the gap between them with a kiss.
Ace could feel Michinaga tense. Michinaga banged his fist against Ace's chest as he attempted to push himself away. Ace gripped the other's wrists, holding Buffa in place as they broke away from the kiss. Both men panting as they stared back at one another.
"Tell me you didn't like it," Ace ordered.
Michinaga closed his mouth, worrying his bottom lip. For once, he didn't have an argument.
"Tell me to leave."
"Geats..." Michinaga breathed out, his voice pleading.
"Tell me that you don't want me; that I'm a fool for wanting you."
Ace had moved in closer now, their faces just a hair's breath apart. It felt magnetic, as if they were drawn together by forces beyond their control. But that was nothing new for the two of them.
"I-I can't," Michinaga confessed, his voice just barely a whisper.
Ace pulled Michinaga into another kiss. Tilted his head to deepen it as he held Michinaga close. The other man accepted Ace's actions and returned it with equal fervor.
Sometimes, it was good to be greedy.
Ace could hear the sound of heels echoing down funeral hall.
“Ace?” Tsumuri called out from just behind the door.
Ace took a deep breath in, wiping his eyes and sitting up straight in attempts to try to compose himself enough to respond. Exhaling, he turned around to face the woman.
“Yes?”
“I was just check-“ Tsumuri froze mid step, her eyes wide. “Ace, you’re…!”
Ace frowned, his eyebrows knitting together. He thought Tsumuri had better manors than that. He knew he was probably red and puffy from crying, but he did not understand why that would cause such a fuss. His husband of over 60 years had just passed away after all.
“What?”
“You’re…” Tsumuri struggled to finish her sentence. Instead, she walked over to Ace with her tablet in hand. The camera app was open and facing Ace.
Ace froze as he saw a young man reflected on the screen. Thick white hair, smooth flawless skin, and bright blue eyes stared back at him. Ace’s jaw dropped as he lifted a hand to touch his face. Gone were the wrinkles from a lifetime of love, and replaced was the cold porcelain skin of divinity.
“Ahh…” Ace sighed. His shoulder dropping as he realized what had happened; what path he was heading down.
He frowned, unsure if he would be able to fulfil Michinaga’s last wish.
“My wish?” Michinaga squinted his eyes in confusion.
“Yeah, eating good meat can’t be the only you wish for,” Ace nudged the birthday boy playfully.
He half expected his boyfriend to brush him off, or to pick a fight. Michinaga was not one to ask for much, even from his partner who also happened to be the God of Creation who could make impossible wishes come true. So, it surprised Ace when the other man did give pause and careful thought to his next words.
Ace waited patiently as he simply admired the other man. A gentle breeze tousled the Michinagas hair, framing his face perfectly. The sunlight's rays gave his skin a healthy glow, and the moles on his face dotted his skin like stars in the night sky. And his eyes, so full of life and passion; Ace felt like he could melt under Michinaga's gaze.
Michinaga looked into Ace's eyes with a small soft smile and spoke his wish.
“I wish to grow old with you, Ace.”