Work Text:
It’s a phone call. It’s only a phone call, it should be no big deal, but the rivets he’s slowly eroding out in his apartment floor disprove that statement. The call button stares up at him, a millisecond away, and yet his thumb stays hovering until the screen goes dark. He turns the phone back on again , and at this point seeing the phone number flash up at him doesn’t serve as motivation anymore, but at least he can’t see his stressed reflection in the dark screen.
He has to do it today though, while Chigiri’s still at practice and he’s off work, the only time this month their schedules contradict.
In hindsight, Kunigami should have accounted for this. He probably could have mismatched his off days at least a couple more times to allow for a plan D, or C, or at the very least B, but then he thinks back to yesterday morning, and he knows he wouldn’t have been strong enough.
It had been a rainy Sunday morning, just this side of brisk, and Chigiri’s favorite type of weather when he wasn’t playing. Usually, a day like that meant going slow. No commitments to rush them to their respective lives, only him and Chigiri, sleeping in until Chigiri would finally complain about being hungry and release Kunigami to go make breakfast. However, instead of the rain’s calm pattern and Chigiri’s soft snoring to lull him out of sleep and into a lazy day, that morning he had woken to the blaring of his alarm, very annoyed grumbling, and the need to be out the door in half an hour.
Kunigami liked to pride himself on his discipline and willpower, but in that moment, with his boyfriend’s bleary eyes gazing up at him and a sleep rough voice pleading for him to just call in sick Rensuke , it dissolved like sugar in hot water; only a singular granule left to weigh-out on his scale of reason. It had been a miracle he managed to make it out the door only ten minutes late.
So it has to be today, his resolve can’t withstand another missed morning.
He takes a big breath, holds the air in his lungs hoping it will suspend his nerves, and presses call.
Ring, ring.
Because it's not really the phone call he’s anxious about, but what it represents -
Ring, ring.
-The last thing he needs to do-
Ring, ring-
Before, hopefully, changing his life forever.
The phone call picks up.
“This is Reo Nagi of Mikage Corporations, if you have any necessary business I suggest you reach me through our company line, as I am very busy. Thank you, and have a good day-”
“Hey Reo.”
“Oh hey Kunigami,” The professional kurtness immediately slips away into a more friendly tone. “You never call. What’s up? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah everything is fine. I just-”
“Hey! Miya- Sorry Kunigami hold on-” there’s faint rustling, followed by Reo’s muffled voice, “those documents need to be processed by tonight, Yeah that's fine- yes just leave them on my desk when you’re finished.” A bit more rustling, and Reo’s voice comes across clearer, if only a little bit, like the phone is halfway wedged on his cheek. “Sorry about that, what did you want?”
“I need your help with something.” Through the line Kunigami can pick up on the clack of a keyboard and the incessant ping of emails, “Are you busy right now?”
“I mean, it depends, what do you need my help with?”
He takes one last, final breath-
“I need your help picking out an engagement ring.”
-And exhales.
Kunigami waits for a response, but he’s only met with silence. The typing, the swishing papers, even Reo’s breathing all take a pause. A beat passes, then another, and then an email notification sounds through breaking Reo out of whatever trance he was trapped in, and suddenly there’s an onslaught of sound.
“I’ll be there in ten. Miya, Miya!” A slap of a laptop, roll of a chair, creak of a door, “Cancel all of my meetings for today!”
“But Mr. Nagi,” the poor assistant rushes out, their timid voice barely making it through the phone’s speaker, “your father is on the three o’clock later, you're supposed to approve the budget for the next quarter.”
“Tell him I have more important matters to attend to- and! That I forbid you from being fired.”
“Oh, thank you Mr. Nagi.” The relief is evident in their voice, “But what specifically should I tell him?”
There’s the zip of a laptop bag, and then the furious steps of business shoes on tile as Reo yells out, “My best friend is getting married!”
The call ends. The ambience in Kunigami’s apartment the only thing left to fill his ears as he stands shell-shocked. A text comes through only a moment later.
From Reo 12:22 PM
Be ready to be out the door as soon as I arrive.
We’re going to get Chigiri the best damn ring ever.
- - -
“I’m your best friend?” Kunigami asks skeptically.
“What- no,” Reo whips his head up from his phone to look across the aisle, his fingers somehow continuing to type, “Chigiri is my best friend.”
“That’s what I thought you meant,” Kunigami says, sliding his hands on the limo’s seats. That is, until he notices how his sweat leaves streaks on the leather interior, and then opts to rest them on his jeans instead. The jittering of his leg, however, can’t be helped.
“But you’re a good friend, and Chigiri’s soon to be husband, so obviously I’m going to help.”
“Thank you, this really means a lot.”
“Of course! Did you invite anyone else? I can send them the address.”
Kunigami appreciates Reo offering to reach out for him, because he doesn’t even know where Reo is taking them.
“I talked to Hyoma’s sister, but she couldn‘t make the flight down to London this month. Same issue with Barou. So it’s just you”
“Okay that makes sense- wait.” Reo pauses, eyes narrowing. “You wanted Barou’s help?”
“Well, yeah.”
Reo’s mouth falls open the slightest amount as his eyebrows knit together, his head tilting barely at an angle.
“ Why? ”
“We’re friends. And he’s good at…” Kunigami waves his hand trying to grasp the right word, “particulars.”
“Yes,” Reo takes in a slow breath, bringing his hand up to pinch his nose, “I suppose he is.”
Reo takes in another breath before lowering his hand, muttering a string of words that Kunigami doesn’t catch, but he’s pretty sure boils down to the base complaint of ugh, men. Once he’s seemingly satisfied with his internal grievances, Reo huffs out a breath before flashing him a charismatic smile.
“Well, no matter. At least I’m available, and I’m going to be the most help anyway. Chigiri and I have talked about this subject at length. ”
“I know. I’ve caught him on the phone with you discussing rings before, but once he notices I’m there he always hangs up.”
Kunigami lets out a breath of fond laughter as the memory wells to the surface, briefly alleviating some of his nerves. Chigiri curled up on the couch, phone in hand as he hashes out preferences with Reo that Kunigami has no frame of reference for. Things like, bezel setting and pear cut. That is, until Chigiri notices he’s in the room, and scrambles to end the call.
“I think he just likes to make me work for it. And I know damn well Hyoma wouldn’t wear something ugly, engagement ring or not.”
“Haha yep! As he should,” Reo cackles out, “that’s our Princess. And speaking of his high-class taste…” At this Reo turns his phone face down, leaning over with squinting eyes and a small calculated smile. “I’m assuming you know how you’re going to propose?”
The mention of the actual proposal sends a roll of anxiety through him. The only thing that keeps him from throwing up is thinking about the poor guy that would have to detail the expensive interior later.
“Yes. I’ve booked a private walk in a botanical garden at the end of the month. I think it’ll be something he appreciates. Beautiful scenery, quiet atmosphere, and…” Kunigami pauses, noticing how Reo’s hand rests on his knee, his ring glinting in the limo's warm lighting, “private…”
Reo follow’s Kunigami’s line of sight, and he brings his left hand level with his face. It’s comical, the way Reo’s eyes immediately droop into a softer gaze, his pointed smile shifting into a dopey grin. The scene is so vulnerably mushy that Kunigami almost feels like he should look away, but he’s witnessed the guy heartbroken pluck out toothbrush bristles, so watching Reo reminisce about how his own husband proposed hardly competes in the realm of lost dignity.
“Yeah,” Reo sighs out dreamily, flexing his hand once before beginning to resurface from his memories. “Chigiri probably wouldn’t appreciate something as dramatic.”
“Master Reo,” Baya calls out from the driver's seat, in the rearview mirror Kunigami spots her knowing smile, as if sharing in Reo’s happiness at the recollection. “We have arrived.”
“Thank you Baya,” Reo says, grasping the hand she extends towards him and giving it a squeeze.
“I’ll call you when we’re finished. Kunigami!” Reo’s out of the limo in a flash, holding the door with an excited gleam in his eye. “You’ve got a quest to complete Hero!”
- - -
Kunigami isn’t sure what a typical jewelry store is supposed to look like, but he’s confident most don’t have three floors. The sight combined with his churning stomach nearly gives him vertigo. He’s also fairly certain that any store that has three floors, shouldn’t also be completely empty, and yet here they are. Both of these observations process within the first second, because then he notices the two attendants waiting on either side of the doorway. The confusion immediately washes away, so that only the anxiety remains.
“Ah Mr. Nagi, so wonderful to see you again. We’ve been awaiting your arrival since you called,” The man on the left says as he bows in greeting.
Of course, the Mikage last name can get you anything, former or otherwise.
“Mr. Kunigami, my congratulations on the future engagement, champagne?” The woman on the right asks him, bowing with a tray of glasses in hand.
“Oh, um-” Kunigami begins to respond, but he’s cut off by Reo.
“The pleasure is mine, truly,” Reo says, swiping a flute of champagne off the tray. “Now, if we could get to business. This is a very important affair, and we only have,” a pause, as Reo twists his watch, “three hours before our groom-to-be has to return home. Lest his partner wonder where he’s been.”
“Absolutely. Mr. Nagi, Mr. Kunigami, right this way sirs.”
With a sweep of the hand, the attendant and Reo are off, confidently venturing further into the store while Kunigami trails behind. He is completely out of his depth here; has never had an eye for fashionable things even with the influence of his sisters, and while Chigiri might have him pick out a shirt or accessory now and then, he’s never had to make a decision with this much weight.
It’s why he’s so thankful that Reo could come. Sure, Kunigami has a decent idea of what Chigiri might like, but Reo’s the one who can help really make sure. They pass glass case, after pedestal, after display table, and just when it looks like their about to reach then end of this winding path-
“Oh that’s cool looking.”
Reo stops before a standalone case displaying the most gaudy ring Kunigami thinks he’s ever seen. It’s a gold band and it’s inset with not one, but two gems, a white and purple that are fused together to make a blob like shape. Not only that, but it’s huge, probably would take up a third of anyone’s finger.
Oh no .
“I… don’t think Hyoma would like that,” Kunigami eases out.
“Oh absolutely not,” Reo tilts his head more, shockingly , in appreciation. “I just think it looks cool.”
I forgot how weird his tastes are.
“Gentlemen,” the attendant calls out from behind the counter only a few paces away, successfully pulling Reo’s attention away from the ugly ring. “What exactly are we looking for today?”
Reo saunters up, leaning his shoulder on the counter and ticking off his fingers as he fires off the different criteria. “Something classy. Beautiful without trying too hard, preferably a pear shaped diamond with a white-gold band.”
Oh thank god.
The man, holding the heaviest looking ballpoint pen, smoothly writes everything down on a notepad, nodding along to all of Reo’s points.
“Mr. Kunigami, do you have anything to add on?”
“Uh,” He may not know anything about rings, but he does know Chigiri. “Something durable? Hyoma’s an athlete, and forgetful. I know he’ll accidentally leave it on during practice sometimes.”
“Wonderful. So a bezel setting then?”
“...Yes?”
“Perfect. And is there a particular price range we are aiming for?”
“Hah!” Reo barks out, slinging an arm around Kunigami’s shoulders, “The guy’s an ex-professional soccer player turned physical therapist whose boyfriend’s nickname is ‘princess’, I assure you there’s no need to worry about that.”
“Of course. I’ll be right back with a few selections.”
The man walks off and as soon as he’s out of earshot Kunigami turns to Reo.
“What is a bezel setting?”
“It’s a type of way the diamond is secured to the band. A thin line of metal will wrap around the gem to hold it in place. It’s the most secure, should be perfect for Chigiri.” Reo smiles, before pulling out his phone, gmail already open, “Nice catch by the way, I knew I had forgotten something.”
“Okay,” Kunigami nods to himself, “Good.”
Time passes in a limbo state, and he knows he’ll look back on this moment later and recognize that it only took about ten minutes for the attendant to return. Right now though? Each second that passes by is a full hour glass's worth of sand, and it pools at his feet, giving him plenty of time to sink into an ocean of thoughts.
What if Hyoma doesn’t like the ring? It wouldn’t be that big a deal, we could always go pick out a new one. But it would have to be slightly disappointing, right?
“Hey man, you good?”
He may not even want to get married right now. Is this moving too fast? No, no, we’ve been together for five years now. That’s not fast, is it?
“Kunigami?”
Would he break up with me if he didn’t want to get married? Surely not. At least, I think-
“Kunigami!”
The sand loosens some, and Kunigami feels he can at least move his feet again.
“Yes?” He asks, blinking a couple times to dispel the dryness.
“Are you okay?” Reo’s eyes are squinted in concern, “You like, completely dissociated for a moment.”
“Yeah, yeah, I just-” inhale, “I just,” exhale. He clenches his fists, then unclenches, willing his mind to quiet. “I’m. Afraid.”
“About the ring? Look, I know there’s a lot to consider but-”
“Not just about the ring. About Hyoma.”
When Reo responds by tilting his head, a single eyebrow raised, Kunigami continues.
“I love Hyoma. So much. And, logically I know he’ll say yes. We’ve been together for so long, I know he loves me, and I know this is something he wants. I know all of this. But-” he pauses, stares at his feet, breathes once, “but I can’t shake my own insecurities. I want Hyoma to have the best, and what if I can’t give it to him? What if I only selfishly tie him to me, when he could have anything, do anything he wants? And I know I’m just in my own head, but it’s still hard to reconcile with sometimes.”
A beat passes.
“I completely understand.”
Kunigami raises his head. Reo is looking off, soft and forlorn.
“That’s how I felt- how I still feel sometimes with Seishiro,” Reo turns to look at him now, a small smile creeping up on his face, “and maybe for guys like us, that insecurity never really fades. But I’ve realized, it’s not our choice to make. Choosing to love us or not that is. All we can do is offer it, and trust that the other person means it just as much as we do.”
There’s a weight on his shoulder, a light press of a hand, and the sand dissipates as Reo now grins at him; understanding and supportive.
“He’s going to say yes, the guy is obsessed with you,” The attendant walks back into view now, a tray in hand, “and besides, we’re going to make it damn hard to say no once we pick out this ring.”
“Heh-” Kunigami laughs out, “I suppose a bit of bribery can’t hurt.”
“Exactly!”
“Gentlemen, would you care to look at the selection?”
The tray is set before them, five semi-identical rings gleaming in a row.
“Alright Hero, I’ve done my part. All of these look like something Chigiri will like, it’s up to you to pick out which one feels like the one .”
And he does.
- - -
“Wow, that really didn’t take as long as I thought,” Reo says, glancing down at his watch now that they're outside the building. “I was perhaps a tad hasty when I said to cancel all my meetings.”
“Thank you again Reo,” Kunigami says, earnesty dripping from each word. He thumbs the velvet box in his pocket, worried that if he lets go it might disappear. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“It’s nothing really,” Reo waves off, whipping out his phone to call Baya. “I should be thanking you for getting me out of a conference with my dad. But! As repayment, tell Chigiri I have to be his best man at the wedding.”
“I doubt that was in question.”
“Well now it’s assured. And make sure to tell me how the proposal goes!”
All Kunigami can do is laugh.
“I’m sure you’ll be one of the first to know.”
- - -
It had been a clear, sunny day, and Chigiri’s favorite type of weather when he was out playing. But he wasn’t playing today. Because today was Sunday, and he and Chigiri were both off, which meant indulging in their typical routine of sleeping in and lazing about. However, on a nice day like this, Chigiri inevitably got antsy, which is why he so readily agreed when Kunigami offered that they go to a botanical garden after dinner.
Which is how they ended up where they are now. Walking through a garden, the hush of tree leaves the only other voices whispering. The flowers, the only other ears listening. The moon, just beginning to emerge, the only other entity watching.
Chigiri is talking to him, about what? Kunigami couldn’t say. He’s too distracted by the weight in his pocket that’s grown so familiar over the past few weeks, and yet now feels completely foreign. With each step they take he feels his heart add an extra beat to his pulse, and he prays Chigiri can’t feel it from where his hand casually rests in the crook of his arm.
“It looks like something might be over here,” Kunigami says, pointing to a slightly enshrouded path, as if it’s new to him too. As if he didn’t walk every inch of this place months ago to find the spot he knew Chigiri would like best.
“If you say so, lead the way Hero,” Chigiri teases, and it eases his nerves, if only slightly.
“As you wish, Princess.”
The path takes them to the edge of a pond, willow trees dancing along all sides, some dipping their leaves into the water as if cooling their hands. A wooden bridge snakes out from their side of the bank into the water. Vines weave their way through the slats of the wood side-rails, and candle holders jut out on the sides, casting the entire space in a warm glow. When the wind breezes by, it causes the leaves and flames to rustle in a way that beckons them further down the path.
“Oh wow ,” Chigiri whispers out, already stepping onto the bridge. He slowly takes step after step, admiring in reverent awe the scenery.
Kunigami understands how Chigiri feels, however he’s not taking in the foliage. Instead, he’s taking in the way his jacket, stolen the very moment the sun dipped, rests too big on Chigiri’s shoulders; How his hair is pulled back in a messy bun, leaving a few stray strands to caress the back of his neck; How his left hand, currently running lightly over the interlaced vines, would look with a single, added accessory.
So, he thinks hopefully, that with the flowers and lights and twinkling night sky, Chigiri might be experiencing a fraction of the beauty he is.
He follows closely behind, the bridge too narrow for them to walk side by side, until they reach the end. At the center of the pond the path turns into stairs, leading a few small steps upwards to a circular base, framed by wooden beams which come inwards to create a point, a single candle hanging from the center. The vines twist up every available surface, and here, pink trumpet flowers bloom.
Chigiri walks up while he remains below. All of the flowers seem to turn inwards, welcoming the princess into their tower. Perhaps they’ve been waiting for someone to so perfectly complete the scene. Chigiri grasps his hands on the railing and gazes out, and Kunigami quietly drops to one knee, his foot resting on the first step.
“Oh Rensuke,” Chigiri says, turning around to face him.
Kunigami doesn’t even register that his hand has already grabbed the box, too caught up in the sight before him. Chigiri’s mouth drops open in a perfect ‘O’ shape, eyes wider than he’s ever seen them.
“Hyoma Chigiri.”
All of his nerves fade away saying his name, leaving only the well of love he has for the man to bubble up, spill over, completely overflow.
“Life with you is the best I’ve known. You make even the mundane the most important moments. I’m a better person having met you, and being with you makes me strive to improve, just so I feel worthy to come home to you. To cook for you, to help brush your hair after a match, to just wake up next to you, to love you, in every facet. All of it, I want to be worthy of it for the rest of my life.”
Chigiri brings a single hand to lightly cover his mouth, and Kunigami can see the pinpricks of tears begin to form.
“So, Hyoma, will you give me the opportunity to prove myself to you,” he caresses his thumb over the box lid-
“And marry me?”
Before he even has time to flip it open, Chigiri launches himself into his arms.
“Yes, yes, obviously yes!” Chigiri gasps, full laughter mixing with sobs.
Kunigami doesn’t think he’s ever heard a sweeter sound.
It takes a moment for them both to catch their breath, and for Kunigami to relinquish Chigiri from his arms. When he does though, he’s rewarded by Chigiri, his fiance, kissing him.
Kunigami doesn’t think he’s ever had a sweeter taste.
“I love you Rensuke,” Chigiri says, mumbling against his lips while threading his fingers through his hair.
“I love you too Hyoma.”
It’s not until Kunigami goes to cup Chigiri’s face that he remembers the unopened box he still holds.
“Do you want the ring?” He asks, so high on everything Chigiri he barely hears his own words.
Chigiri laughs giddily, a few tear tracks staining his face, before wordlessly moving back enough to hold out his left hand in the space between them. Kunigami finally opens the box, carefully taking out the ring and sliding it onto the outstretched ring finger. The diamond winks up at him from where it rests, pear shaped with a bezel setting, and white-gold band. There are two smaller diamonds on either side, also pear shaped, inlaid into the band.
“Do you like it?”
Chigiri rolls his eyes, trying to maintain a sly smile before it breaks back into a full grin.
“It’s perfect Rensuke. You did an amazing job,” He pauses, complete wonderment filling his words, “We’re going to be married. ”
And something content settles in him at that, secure in the knowledge that what he sees now, a ring on Chigiri’s finger, is one he’ll see for the rest of his life.
Kunigami doesn’t think he’s ever seen a sweeter sight.
- - -
To Reo 11:39 PM
*Image sent * (Chigiri and Kunigami smiling in a selfie, Chigiri holding up his left hand with the ring).
Guess who's engaged!?!?
From Reo 11:40 PM
*Image sent* (Reo and Kunigami at the ring store, Reo holding up a peace sign next to the ring while Kunigami’s back is turned)
Guess who knew the entire time!?!?
To Reo 11:42 PM
You can never let me win
…Thank you though…