Work Text:
The water is cold. Much too cold. This is supposed to be a warm, relaxing bath. You drain the cold water and pull the porcelain handle all the way to the left, letting the steaming water fill the bathtub. The way the water burns feels so good on your aching muscles. The only sensation you can feel is the dull throb of the hot water as it burns your tender skin. You let the water continue running as you plug the drain.
You sink back in the tub as you put some soothing oils in for good measure. Kento had gifted them to you and instructed you to use them this week. They smell like vanilla. How thoughtful. You love vanilla. He really didn't have to go out of his way to get something so nice for you. You would maybe read the note another time.
You can't wait. You can't wait to give him his gift and you can't wait for him to see you. He will be home soon. He will. And then there will be nothing to worry about. Your stomach is buzzing with excitement and so is your head. It's buzzing. With excitement.
You look up to see your reflection. You want to see what your husband will see when he gets home, but the mirrors have long been fogged over. You could barely make out your red skin in the mirror in front of you or the deep bags under your eyes. Maybe they aren't so bad then. You look down at the bubbles in the tub, your head heavy with pent up stress and exhaustion. You rub the tiredness out of your eyes as water drips from them. You'll be better when Kento gets home.
This is actually a great way to relax, you think. Work has been more than rough these last few months. Being a sorcerer is not for the weak. You are the weak. That's probably what Kento thinks anyway. He made you take time off work. You didn't know why, but when you were able to sleep all day this past week, you didn't question it again. You wish you were with him though. You miss him. Not for long. When would he be back from his mission? Oh yes, very soon. You had a surprise for him. One he would like very much. One that would take some responsibility off his shoulder. One that would let him be free.
You sigh as the water fills over your shoulder. Inhaling the steam, you close your eyes and smile thinking about your surprise for Kento. You look over at the bathroom counter to make sure your note to Nanami is still there. Then you grope for the bottle at the side of the tub. You open the cap and take another sleeping pill.
----
Nanami walks with purpose towards your house. He brought home souvenirs from his travels: your favorite chocolates and a diamond necklace. He can't wait to give you your gift and he can't wait to see you.
He missed you more than he'd like to admit. Not because he's embarrassed of missing you, but because he couldn't focus completely on his work with you in the back of his mind; he had to stay a little longer on his trip because of this. He would've been back yesterday like he told you, but he missed his flight. But that doesn't matter now, because he's coming back to see his beautiful wife.
Usually the two of you would go on missions together, but he had seen the way that lifestyle had taken a toll on your mental health. You would wake up from nightmares of curses or not be able to sleep at all. He told you that sitting this mission out would be good for you. You were stubborn as ever, fighting him on that decision. Even after requesting Gojo to assist him on the mission after you expressed worries for his safety, you still fought tooth and nail to be by his side. It worried him, but in the moment he was angry. He left you upset; upset at your behavior and upset at himself. He didn't even say I love you.
He always said I love you. This ate at him for days. As soon as he got to his destination, he sent home expensive bath oils and a handwritten letter to apologize. He made this gift extra special.
Vanilla. You loved the smell of vanilla. He took time out of his busy schedule to find the perfect scent even when Gojo teased him for spending so much time at a "girly" store. He also knew you liked baths and it would be a great way to relax. A warm relaxing bath. He found the perfect one; it smelled just like you. He wrote you a note, an apology, a love letter.
He found himself running down the street from the train station. With every step, guilt gnaws at him. He can't help but remember the desperation in your voice. "Don't go, please don't leave me," you cried. You were so insistent it was scary. He thought it was you being stubborn as always or just nerves that it was your first mission apart in years; sorcery is not a safe job. But even after the assurance... Nanami hesitates at the door. He left you.
He looks down at his feet to see the letter he wrote you. He bends down to pick it up, his eyebrows furrow, his heart stutters. You definitely got the bath oils. Maybe you were too upset to read the note. But that's not like you. You wouldn't do that.
Without another moment's hesitation he opened the front door. His wife would be waiting for him. He will tell her how much he loves her.
"Darling!? Darling I'm home!" Nanami says expectantly. No response. Nanami has to push down his overwhelming guilt. You are still upset at him.
"I'm sorry. I missed you so much." He tries before he goes upstairs, not wanting to intrude. He walks around the first floor of the house. It is clean. You love to clean. He is happy you kept yourself busy. After no response again he called out.
"I'm coming upstairs." Maybe she is sleeping. He walks upstairs, but as he gets to the top he notices the clothes lining the floor, the mess. He is worried. No. He is scared. He practically bolts to your room and is surprised to find the door unlocked. He pushes open the door.
A wave of musky air fills his nostrils. It is an unwelcoming scent. It smells of death. And vanilla.
His heart drops along with your gift as he makes his way into the bathroom.
He finally sees you. His beautiful wife with lips too blue and skin too pale.
But you are peaceful.
You look so peaceful floating in the bath. You look more peaceful than you had for months. Even in sleep you were plagued by nightmares. But this. You are so still.
Nanami drops to his knees in front of the bath, pulling your body out of the water, holding you close. He spots the empty bottle of sleeping pills discarded on the floor and next to it the vanilla bath oil.
A sob breaks from his throat.
"Darling, please forgive me, I love you more than anything in this world." Is what he wrote in his letter and is what he says to you.
The water is cold. Much too cold. This was supposed to be a warm, relaxing bath.