Work Text:
The place is strangely quiet when Haruki arrives back home, especially on a day like this. He’s typically met with a crushing embrace, a low but boyish voice greeting him, smiling brightly. Looking down at the string of messages, Akihiko should’ve been home by now … before Haruki can ponder any further, a massive clutter of sound erupts by the front door.
In shock, he turns to find Akihiko stumbling in, quickly but neatly discarding his shoes by the entryway as he balances bags filled with items Haruki can’t discern. Akihiko stops completely frozen however when he spots Haruki staring back at him, confused yet very entertained watching his usually cool boyfriend scrambling around like he was in some kind of danger.
“Haruki! …I’m-- um --home.”
“Welcome back, Aki.” Haruki tries to hold back a giggle, ultimately failing to do so when Akihiko’s face starts to bloom a bright pink. Akihiko steadily composes himself to greet Haruki, pulling him in for an extra strong hug.
“I thought you wouldn’t be back so soon” He mumbles against Haruki’s shoulder; Akihiko buries his head even further. “… I wanted to be here for when you got home.”
Haruki laces his arms around his shoulders, keeping them together when they pull away – There’s a childish pout playing on Akihiko’s face, having worked himself up over simply arriving back after him.
It’d become a specific habit of his over the span of their relationship, Akihiko would lose any kind of edge in his exterior, resembling something akin to a puppy at any kind of inconvenience. Things like missing a phone call, unwanted overtime interrupting plans, rejected advances or not being at the door in time. And if you looked hard enough when it occurred, you could even see drooped ears and a tail sticking out.
Haruki pats the top of Akihiko’s head who nuzzles into his palm, his expression returning back to a typical loving gaze. “What’s with all the fuss anyways?” He asks, eyes glancing back to the bags, filled to the brim that he was carrying earlier.
“Well, It is your birthday Haru. Surely you haven’t forgotten?” Akihiko grabs at Haruki’s shoulders, almost rattling him. Of course he didn’t forget, Akihiko had made sure to remind him of his own birthday for the past few weeks.
“No … but we’re not doing anything until tomorrow.” Whilst it was today, any birthday plans were going to be as a group, kids included. Haruki hadn't thought about doing anything for his birthday. It wasn't like he was willingly ignoring it … He just had a busy schedule that unfortunately coincided with his own birthday, at the end of the day - It was just bad luck.
Though, from the determined eyes peering down at him, that wasn't going to work as an excuse.
“What about me? Don't I get to treat my boyfriend on his special day?”
It doesn't take long for the table to be covered in all sorts of dishes. Spicy, Savoury, Salty, every single one being Haruki's absolute favourites. He could applaud Akihiko both for his impressive memorisation and culinary skills.
As Haruki goes for another dish, he can hear Akihiko, mouth still stuffed with meat, ask, “s'that good?” He does it for almost every plate. After the 5th, Haruki can only respond with,
“It's all great, Aki. You didn't need to do so much.”
Disappointed with his far too selfless answer, Akihiko uses his chopsticks to pick up another piece of meat and gestures it towards Haruki's mouth. When he leans in, he tucks a stray strand of hair behind his ear before taking a bite. The chopsticks shake in Akihiko's hands as he does so. “Everything Aki does for me, doesn't go unappreciated.” Haruki smiles widely as he wipes away the leftover sauce on his lips. Akihiko avoids looking at Haruki for a moment, his defenses broken in a matter of seconds.
“...Thank you, Haru.” His face becomes hotter than the dishes themselves.
“The next treat is a well earned massage!”
Akihiko ushers Haruki over to their bed, guiding him down to sit down in the middle. He joins him from behind with “supplies” consisting of a small celebratory cake, and a small wrapped box. “Here's your very own cake and present for you to enjoy whilst I reward you.”
Akihiko takes the small knife from the cake box, scooping a piece and again feeding Haruki who happily takes it.
He gets to work, starting from his neck, to his slim shoulders, then trailing down to press down on Haruki's lower back and waist with the occasional stop to offer Haruki another bite.
At times, Haruki squirms and jumps in his position when Akihiko's hands, whilst definitely getting rid of some knots, still pinches in places where he knows Haruki is most ticklish.
“Aki! You're supposed to be helping me relax!”
“Oops … my bad.” He responds with little remorse. It's been long enough for Akihiko to know exactly where Haruki's most sensitive.
The “massage” session very quickly derails into a messy escape attempt from Akihiko's rouge hands trying to knock the breath out of Haruki who despite his best attempts, can't escape - Giggling as he accepts his fate.
Both spent, the two lay side by side, the cake luckily not taking any damage, safely placed on the bedside table. Though, Haruki's sure there was something else beside them before things got out of hand.
“Ah… there's one last thing for you.” Akihiko shifts over to get an item from behind him, a small, decorative box. “It’s nothing big.” He places it into Haruki's hand.
Upon opening it, a delicate bracelet peeks through, the faint light from the main room makes it sparkle. The highlight is a charm, two dragonflies dance around each other.
“Nothing big? This must of cost a fortune!”
“Really, it's fine. Anything is worth it to see you happy.”
Gently holding onto his wrist, Akihiko slips the bracelet on. He raises Haruki's hand towards his face, lightly kissing it. Akihiko drags his own hand along the length of Haruki's arm, up past his shoulder to cradle his cheek. Haruki doesn't take his eyes away from Akihiko's face as he admires the feeling of Haruki's soft skin against his fingers.
Just before he leans in for a proper kiss, Akihiko whispers, “Happy birthday Haru.”