Chapter Text
Toya proposed to Akito four years ago on Akitos twentieth birthday after five years of dating. They got married just a year later a few days after New Years, making this year their third anniversary as husbands.
He's been thinking about what they should do to celebrate that was different than what they've done before.
Their first year, they went out to dinner. Last year, they went to the movies. This year... he's drawing blanks. Tomorrow was the day, and he had absolutely no idea of what to do!
He's tried asking Akito, but as per usual, he was simply given an 'up to you, darlin'.'
As they eat dinner, he decides to try one last time.
"Aki, do you want to do anything specific tomorrow?"
"Hm?" Akito looks up from his plate. "Didn't y'ask me that yesterday?"
"Yes... but I can't think of anything." Toya sighs and rests his head on the palm of his hand.
Akito holds back a quiet chuckle at his husband stressing over nothing.
"Toya, we don't gotta do anythin'." He stands up to put his plate in the sink before walking over and standing behind Toya. He bends down and wraps his arms around the others neck, giving him a small kiss on the cheek.
"We can just stay home and chill. We're not required to go out just 'cause it's our anniversary."
"You think so?" Toya turns to look at him with worried eyes that show just how stressed he's been.
"Yes, Toya." Akito swings Toyas chair around to face him. He leans down and puts his hands on the tallers thighs, matching his height. "I wouldn't mind stayin' here. And... if y'want, we can go on a walk or somethin'."
With a defeated huff, Toya gives in. "Okay... but, if I do think of something, can we do it?"
Akito truly admires Toyas determination with things like this. With a fond smile, he brushes Toyas hair out of his face and behind his ear. "Of course we can."
With that, a smile finally finds its way to Toyas face. "Thank you, Aki."
"No-no, thank you for thinkin' so hard about this. But... 'm sure your head hurts now, hm? All this stressin' ain't good for you." He gently rubs Toyas aching temples, making him feel sleepy almost immediately.
"A little..." Toya yawns and melts into the touches with closed eyes. He jumps awake when Akito suddenly stops.
"Y'done eating?"
Toya nods and Akito puts his plate with his own in the sink, returning to Toya quickly after. "Let's get ready for bed, yeah?"
Toya stands up with a few stretches and tiredly agrees.
They grab some clothes and head to the bathroom to take a bath before bed. They sit as they usually do, Akito behind Toya with the taller leaning back into Akitos chest.
"Your head feelin' any better?" Akito asks as he massages body wash onto Toyas shoulders.
"Yes... thank you."
"Mhm~ no problem." Akito hums and finishes up his task.
The moment he's done, Toya let's his head fall back onto Akitos shoulder with a content sigh.
"Three years..." Toya breathes out. It was intended to be said in his head, but he was too relaxed to really care.
"Technically nine." Akito corrects with a cheeky grin.
"You know what I mean." Toya playfully slaps Akitos thigh under the water.
"Yes, yes." The ginger chuckles. "Three years of bein' married to the best partner a guy like me could ever ask for." He shifts slightly to wrap his arms around Toyas waist, resting his head on his shoulder.
"You praise me too much, Aki."
"So what?" Akito shoots his head up as if he was offended by Toyas words. "You deserve it. Gotta make sure y'know how much i love you." He gently kisses his husbands shoulder.
'I love you.' Toya thinks. 'He says that too much... Surely he can go one day without saying it.'
Then, he gets an idea. He sits up straight, smile plastered on his face.
"Woah, what's that about?" Akito blinks in confusion.
"I have an idea for tomorrow!" Toya turns around, looking like a kid excited to show their parent their art project.
"Oh? Lemme hear it."
"Okay, so! I feel like you say those words too often, and—"
"Wait wait wait." Akito pauses him. "What words?"
"I love you."
Akito raises an eyebrow. "But... it's true..? Why wouldn't i say it if it's true?"
"Let me talk and I'll tell you."
Akito laughs and puts his hands up by his head as a surrender. "Yes, sir. Go on."
"Thank you." Toya pokes Akitos nose as an apology for being harsh. "Like I was saying... I'm afraid that if we say it too often, it'll lose its meaning. Kind of like... how people think saying sorry automatically gets them a pass for being rude, you know?"
"Right..?" Akito thinks he gets it, but he honestly has no idea. "Where's this goin'?"
"What if... tomorrow... we don't say it?"
"...What? But— it's our anniversary."
"Exactly. Instead of saying those words specifically, we find other ways to say or show it."
"Interesting..." Akito thinks about it for a moment. It does sound like a good challenge. "You sure 'bout it though?"
Toya nods. "I am! I think it will give us a chance to try new things or figure out other ways of expressing our love."
Akito chuckles. Toya seemed extremely proud of his idea, who is Akito to say no?
"M'kay, I'm down." With an accepting shrug, he agrees. "What if one of us slips up and says it? We gettin' punished?"
"Hmm... punishment..." Toya puts his fingers to his chin in thought.
"Oh! Dishes for a week." Toya knows how much Akito hates dishes.
"Ugh... really?" Akito cringes.
"Hm? Are you backing down because of some dishes?" Toya teases, leaning closer to Akito.
Akito makes a quiet growl of complaint in his throat. He absolutely despises cleaning the dishes. However, he can't just... not go along with this. It's something Toya wants to do, plus... he never backs down from a challenge.
"Of course not." He grins, leaning in as well. "You know I love a challenge. What're the rules?"
"No saying I love you for the whole day. It can only be shown and said in other ways."
"Gotcha. And... what's the time period?"
"When we wake up tomorrow until we wake up the day after. Think you can do it, Akito?" Toya raises an eyebrow with a playful smile.
"I could ask you the same, Toya." Without warning, Akito grabs Toyas waist and pulls him closer, Toyas legs wrapping around Akitos body on instinct with a quiet yelp.
"Tonight, though..." Akito cups Toyas face with one of his wet hands, caressing his cheek with his thumb. With his other hand, he rubs circles on Toyas waist, kneading on him like a kitten. "Whaddya say, darlin'?"
Toyas eyes meet Akitos, the same flirty smile on his face. "It's only fair, don't you think?" He wraps his arms around Akitos neck, granting permission.
Just a second later with no verbal response from Akito, their lips meet in the middle, quiet gasps and gentle splashes of water being the only sounds to fill the room.
An hour later, they're cuddled up on their bed, snuggling under the covers to hide from the cold.
The room was a comforting dark with only a small, record shaped light softly glowing in the corner. It was a wedding gift from An and Kohane.
Akito pats Toyas shoulder with one hand and scrolls on his phone with the other. Toya simply enjoyed the warmth of the others body as his arms wrapped snug around him. With a yawn, Akito decided it was time to get some sleep.
"M'kay," He whispers and shifts his body slightly to get more comfortable, putting his phone to the side. "I'm clockin' out."
Toya nods and stretches his arms, feeling tired himself. "Me too... goodnight, Aki."
"G'night, baby. See you..." He yawns and shuts his eyes. "...Tomorrow..."
Toya lifts himself up give Akito one final goodnight kiss before returning to his spot. "I love you."
He feels Akitos chest shake as he holds back a laugh. "Love you too."
Moments later, sleep took over their minds, and they drifted off.
Every year on the night before their anniversary, Toya finds himself dreaming about the day he proposed, this year was no different.
'Happy birthday! The big two-zero!' An nudges Akitos side.
'Ew, why're you actin' like a dad?' Akito quickly turns around to face Ken, Ans father. 'No offense.'
'None taken, kid.' Ken chuckles.
'Happy birthday, Shino— i mean— Akito..!' Kohane gives him a small hug, something she got comfortable with after graduating. She only started calling him his first name a few months ago after An practically begged her to stop being so formal to the boys.
'Thanks girls.' Akito smiles down at his friends, but there was still something— someone— missing. 'By the way, wasn't Toya s'posed to be here like... ten minutes ago?'
'Oh, yeah. He told me he had to grab something first.' An pulls out her phone to re-read the messages from Toya.
'He told... you that? Not me?'
'I guess. I dunno man, your boyfriend's weird.'
Akito was beginning to get slightly suspicious of where Toya was. Why wouldn't he tell him that he'll be late? Why tell An? Does Kohane know?
As he's thinking about that, the door of their SEKAIs coffee shop swings open, revealing a very out of breath Toya.
'Sorry I'm late! I left something at my house and needed to grab it.' Toya pants, practically chugging the water MEIKO hands him.
'You're not usually the forgetful type...' Akito walks up to him, giving him a small hug. 'You alright today?'
'Y-yes!' Toya stutters. 'I just... had a moment, i guess.'
'Right... okay.' Akito doesn't believe that for a second. 'Why're you outta breath? Y'don't have to run here.'
Toya shifts his eyes away. 'Because... I'm not at my house, actually. I went... somewhere else before coming here.'
'Eh?' Akito looks at him in pure confusion. 'Where?'
'The Tenmas.'
Toyas lying.
Akito knows he is. Toya is a terrible liar. Even so, there's no point in arguing, it's Akitos birthday. So, he simply nods and they proceed on with their small celebration.
As the party comes to an end and the girls leave, Akito and Toya remain at the café bar, talking to MEIKO about different alcohols.
Sure, he's legally old enough to drink now, but he's still not sure if he really wants to without knowing enough about each of them.
Toya was drinking a small alcoholic beverage. Not enough to make him drunk, but just enough to get that red, flushed face that Akito secretly adores.
It wasn't often that Toya drank, usually only when he was nervous about something.
That was another thing that made Akito suspicious. Why did Toya arrive late? Why did he lie? Why is he drinking?
All of those questions flooded his mind, giving him a small headache. Before it got worse, a gentle hand on his thigh snapped him back.
'Aki, do you want to go home?'
'Huh?' Akito blinks and turns to the clock, checking the time. It was getting late... but... he's still curious about what's wrong with his boyfriend.
He eventually gave in and decided that he would just ask tomorrow.
'Uh, yeah, kinda. It's late.'
'Okay.' Toya smiles. 'I'll see you later then.'
Akito nods, kisses Toyas hand, and heads back to his room.
The moment he's back, he lays back on his bed with a sigh.
'The hell was up with him today..?'
Mid-thought, his room fills with light.
'What the— Toya?!' From the light appears his precious lover.
'Surprise.' Toya says with a smile. 'I... lied about going to the Tenmas. I'm pretty sure you already knew that, though.'
Akito just... stares at him. He blinks with a open jaw, trying to figure out when the hell Toya got into his house. 'Wh-what? When did you—? Huh?!'
'Hehe~' Toya walks up to the other and sits next to him on the bed. 'That's not the only surprise I have for you.'
'It's... not?'
'Mm-mm!' Toya jumps up and holds his hand out. 'I want to take you somewhere before giving you the second one, though.'
Akito gathers his thoughts and grabs Toyas hand along with his jacket. Toya leads him out of the house and they walk along the streets hand-in-hand for a few miles. Akito tries to pry the secret out of Toyas mouth, but he was very keen on keeping it until it's time.
Soon after, they arrive at a private spot, somewhere that they've gone many times. It was a hidden area in the back of a park that simply had a bench and a view of a flower field. Toya really liked the flowers, so they would go there whenever he was stressed and wanted to see them.
'What're we doin' here..?' Akito asks as he grabs one of the only alive flowers left on the ground. Being close to winter, most of them were dying or covered in fallen leaves.
'You'll see.' Toya looks back at him with a nervous smile. He had something planned, and Akito could tell that whatever it is, he's terrified to do it.
They walk a bit further and to Akitos surprise, there was a small amount of fake roses scattered across the floor. He could tell they were fake purely by the fact that they're still 'alive' in that weather, but that didn't matter.
Toya brings him to stand in the center of the flowers and drops his hand, standing in front of him.
Toya takes a deep breath and turns to face Akito.
'Okay... so, I'm sure you're wondering what's going on, right?'
'Yeah..?'
'Well, you know I'm not... amazing with words, especially when it comes to expressing my feelings. So, I didn't really have much planned for that.'
Toya grabs Akitos hands, softly rubbing the backs. 'Even so, i wanted to try.' He thinks for a moment about what to say, and opens his mouth.
'I know that it was... very difficult for us at first. My father constantly keeping me home and away from you, your dad giving you hell for being gay, people at school talking... I'm sure you remember. Despite all of that, though... you stayed. Even though it was hard on you, and we considered breaking up because of it... you stayed. You have done so much for me, and now... I want to do something for you.'
He lets go of Akitos hands, grabs something from his pocket, does a short prayer with the object in his hands, and kneels down onto one knee.
Akitos eyes widen as Toya looks up at him and finally reveals the surprise. A beautiful silver ring in a blue and orange box.
'Akito,' Toya starts, his voice and hands shaking. 'Will you marry me?'
'Toya...' Akitos breath gets heavy and he started to feel the all too familiar feeling of tears forming in his eyes. 'A-are you serious?'
Toya nods with a loving smile. 'Very. I... I want us to be married, Aki. I want to be your husband, for us to spend the rest of our lives together. ...What about you?'
As reality catches up to Akito, the tears win their fight and stream down his face. 'I'd like that too.' He smiles back through the tears.
'Then... I'll ask again. Will you marry me?'
Akito quickly nods. 'Yes, Toya. I will.'
With the answer, Toya pulls the ring out, fits it perfectly on Akitos finger, and stands up.
They stare into each others eyes with no words, their expressions said everything they wanted to. After a few seconds, Akito pulls Toya into a loving kiss. When they back away, they wrap each other in a tight hug.
'Thank you, Toya...' Akito whispers. 'I love you... so much.'
Toya chuckles. 'I love you too, Aki.'
When they pull back from their hug, the sound of cheering a popping fill their ears.
'He said yes!!!'
Out from behind some trees and bushes come a few of their friends. An, Kohane, seniors from high school Rui and Tsukasa, and even Akitos sister and her girlfriend Mizuki. They were clapping and cheering, Rui even had a confetti canon.
'W-what?! When did you all get here?!' Akito backs away, extremely embarrassed that they likely just saw him crying.
'We've been here.' Mizuki shrugs.
'Hold up.' Akito realizes something and wipes his tears. 'You knew about this... didn't you?' He points at An and Kohane.
'Of course we did. I only told you Toya forgot something so Ena could let him into your room.' An admits, her voice lacking shame.
Akito could not believe his ears. They all knew about this?!
'Congratulations, my dear juniors!' Tsukasa wraps his arm around Toya, his voice as loud as always.
'Congratulations, Shinonome.' Rui copies his boyfriends actions on Akito.
'Th-thanks...'
Normally, Akito would be annoyed at the attention. Tonight, though, all he could do was look down at his ring, smiling at how lucky he felt. Toya was the man of his dreams, and he gets to marry him! What more could he ask for?
The group spends some time to talk and congratulate the couple. After nearly an hour, Akito and Toya return to Akitos house to finally get some much needed sleep.
It was the best birthday Akito ever had.