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The T.V played a comedy show in the background, but neither of the men had paid much attention to it. The rain on the window tapped furiously as the weather only worsened. There had been food set on the table, made by Rui himself. It was one of the two gifts he had brought in. The other laid near the table untouched. In the living room, the two hosts sat next to one another, close in promixity, just enjoying their presences together.
"Rui," The soft voice almost surprised him, he turned his head to look at the older man. Their eyes met, and he could see the slight twinkle in his eyes. He wasn't wearing his usual host outfit, nor was he wearing his contacts. Koichi wore rounded glasses and a roughed up yukata over a plain shirt and sweats. His hair carried a casual roughness that only his home was allowed to see. Neither was Rui, for once, he wore a simple buttoned up shirt and a tie that matched with his pants. The rain-jacket he came with remained hung at the clothing rack near the entrance.
"Yes, Mr. Ko?" He responded, watching him as Koichi placed a hand on his cheek. Not a thought of anger arises in him when this action is done, he's the one person that he can allow to touch him like this, asides from Lord Shin. Rui leaned into his soft palm, still maintaining eye contact.
Koichi let a small huff of laughter, mentally comparing him to a cat. "You didn't have to do this for me." The older man said with an embarrassed smile, pushing back his black silky hair behind his ear and then, resting his hand back onto his lap.
"No, I wanted to. The least I could do is give you company, Mr. Ko." Rui responded in his monotone voice that had a hint of admiration for the other man, already longing for his warmth.
"I'm just happy we were able to spend time together again." His eyes crinkled, humming in response. Koichi then took another bite from the meal, "Your cooking is amazing, you know?" The pink haired man said with his cheeks stuffed with rice. "Ah.. If only, I could have this forever."
He took a sip from the cup before continuing, "I can bring you more if you'd like." His voice lowered by a bit at the offer, almost shyly, as he put down the cup down onto the table.
The shorter man erupted into warm laughter at the other's words. "Rui, no need! This is more than enough." Koichi pushed his glasses up to keep them from slipping.
Rui's eyebrows turned downward slightly at the comment, but it was his way of declining, so he nodded. His insistence on helping Koichi was sweet to the other.
The two ate in comfortable silence, watching the show that was close to its end.
Once their meals were finished, Rui got up to take the plates before he was momentarily stopped. "Wait, let me take them instead!" Koichi stood up a little too quickly, blocking his path, and causing suspicion to arise from Rui.
"Is your kitchen dirty, Mr. Ko?" His question didn't leave any room for bullshit.
Silence.
"It's alright. I'll help you clean." Rui softened.
Koichi let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, "Then let's get started then! Together!"
The two made their way to their destination in similar steps. The kitchen wasn't too bad. There had been a load of unwashed dishes and the floors were in need of a wash.
"Do you mind if I play some music?" Koichi asked.
"Not at all." Rui put the dishes down in the sink and went to grab one of the aprons in the cabinets. He tied it in a manner that one may confuse him for a married man.
Koichi turned on his phone and went to play the music of SWV. Surprisingly, Koichi had a thing for R&B. The two immediately got to work, cleaning alongside each other to tackle down these chores.
"I'll be back! Don't overdo it, okay?" Koichi quickly dropped the broom before speed-walking out of the kitchen to the bathroom.
The phone on the counter rang a tune that only people over 40 would have as their ringtone. Rui leaned over and saw RYOICHI and a winking emoji accompanied by the name on the screen. Almost immediately, he hung up and put the phone on silent. Rui refused to let this bum be chosen over him once again.
In the few minutes of Koichi's absence, the man decided to clean the counters with efficiency and determination only found in the fighting ring, scrubbing every dirt off while listening to the music of women singing in chorus to the multiple instruments in the background.
After a few minutes, Koichi had returned to see all of the counters and kitchen appliances shining. "Rui! I said to not overdo yourself!" The man scolded.
"My apologies. I was not able to stop myself."
Koichi shook his head, "Well.. either way, I'm grateful! Do you still want to continue watching that show? I really think Tanaka might win this time!"
"As much as I'd love to," Rui glanced at the clock, "I must be leaving now." He untied the bow from behind and placed the apron back where it was.
"Rui, wait a moment!" The man instantly stilled, then turning back to the shorter one. Koichi got on his toes and waved his hand down, signaling him to bend over a bit, and so he did, moving to a height where he was almost eye level with him.
He put his hand on his face and placed a soft kiss on the opposite cheek, "Have a safe travel!" He chirped. Rui froze for a second with red ears, his eyes widened at the affectionate goodbye. However, this wasn't out of the ordinary for Koichi and yet it still manages to catch him off guard.
"Yes. I will.. Thank you. I'll call you when I arrive home, Mr. Ko." He quickly fixed his face and bowed down at the man before leaving.
Koichi watched him until his figure was out of range before heading back inside. Once he settled back into his comfortable futon, he finally checked his phone.
34 missed calls, 15 attempts at a FaceTime, 45 times at location sharing, and 85 messages. All from Ryoichi. He stared at his phone alarmed as he went through the notifications one by one. What the hell could have happened?
Meanwhile, in the depths of an abandoned road that was supposed to lead them back to home. The car they were on had its tires popped. The two men were supposed to go somewhere out to hike together but fate had its own plans. The unforgiving heat in the car caused them both to stay outside in the sun. The ex-business man stood near the trunk while the Number 2 had his phone in the sky to grab signal.
"He's not coming for us, is he?" Hajime said with a flat tone, already accepting his fate that he would die in the middle of buttfuck nowhere with his friend. He closed his eyes and thought of the things he had lost. His favorite tie.. his diginity.. his credit card he lost during the morning rush.. the list goes on. "Let's go hiking, he said, it'll be a fun date, he said." Hajime bitterly repeated the words of a certain someone's recommendation.
The blonde scoffed at that. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Ryoichi kept his determined smile, his eyes twitching as he shares his location for God knows which time, "No–no. He IS coming. I know he will. Why wouldn't he? Hah?" He wipes off a sweat drop off his forehead, making one last call before his phone hit 2%. However just before they heard the lovely noises of a roughed up engine.
A busted down car danced on the janky road. Extremely fast for something that could be blown off with one accidental hit. The window to the passenger's seat rolled down revealing their savior from this mess, "Sorry for being so late! SHAKEEN! ☆"
"MR. KOICHI!" The two men leaped out of their car in joy, hopping out of their car and into Koichi's backseat. Surely, they would have died due to a heat stroke or due to someone's jealousy.