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A motorcycle is a hefty gift.
It costs more than a few paychecks for sure, but the risks associated with it are a weight heavier than the cost.
What if the rider falls? Unlike a car, there are no seatbelts to keep one in place, no airbags to cushion a fall, and not to mention the apparent lack of walls.
A motorcycle is also very dangerous. This is a clear and prominent thought in Touya’s mind. One that echoes, even as he sits on the couch in what would typically be his most serene moments.
For the 8 years they’ve been together, Akito has always dropped small hints of what he wants for Christmas. Forget chocolates or pancakes, this guy wanted a motorcycle! He’d point them out whenever he would see one during their outings, and he’d always pause in the shopping catalogues to see what new models were for sale.
However, this year was different.
Akito barely even cast an eye on the passing motorcycles during their recent stroll in the city. He seemed preoccupied, as if something was on his mind.
“He must have given up on that dream...” Touya thinks out loud, glancing down at the kitty in his lap. “But is it a good idea to buy him something so dangerous, Vivi?”
What was he doing, asking the poor feline such rhetorical questions? He picks up the little black furball and gives her a small kiss on the head, a feeble attempt to calm his own mind.
Motorcycles were definitely dangerous, but Akito did get a motorcyclist’s license a couple years back, so he wouldn’t be absolutely clueless on the vehicle! But, at the same time, maybe there were clueless drivers who hated motorcyclists!
Touya was no longer at ease. In fact, he was more on edge than before! This was NOT the goal of the day.
He used to be okay with risks, especially to spite his upbringing. Performing with Vivid BAD SQUAD across the world and becoming a name that many in the music scene knew was one of those big risks, but at this point in life he had turned over to domestic life. He and Akito had moved a few years ago, while An and Kohane had remained in Vivid Street to take over Weekend Garage after the group retired as a whole. He went from being able to rouse up a crowd to making music in a studio all on his own. Being away from such an exciting and loud crowd of people made him consider the consequences of actions that most would find reckless. Why couldn’t he let loose? Take a risk?
Through the years, Touya turned away from that life, and he felt as if he pulled Akito from it too. Did Akito miss the thrill? Being out late at night, performing and partying, having the time of his life? Did he miss it, or was Touya simply holding him back? By being the calm and collected one, did he accidentally tame the wildness in his partner that he knew and loved?
All of a sudden, something new came to be. A motive. Maybe he will take a risk. Maybe he’ll buy Akito a gift that’ll surely be a sign that he doesn’t need to be held back by him. He was going to buy him a motorcycle.
—
Christmas eve had arrived too fast, and Touya had woken up to an empty bed. Akito must’ve gone on one of his early morning runs.
He pushed himself out of bed and checked his phone. For the past week, he had been getting messages regarding a delay in getting the motorcycle of choice. Today was not an exception to the trend, with the notification mocking him.
Amidst his sudden frown, he noticed another message on his phone.
> Akito
>> hey! had to go somewhere so i left early
>> come to the park 2day at 6
>> don't b late ;)
Touya’s eyes lit up for a second, before widening with a newfound sense of urgency. Was Akito hoping to exchange gifts early? His gift hadn’t even arrived yet! He was DOOMED!
With no gift, he knew for sure that Akito would be disappointed. He couldn’t shake the look he had for the past month, seeming helpless and troubled whenever they’d be out together.
All he could do was wait for the inevitable. An agonizing and long wait...
—
Akito was wearing his best jacket, scarf, and gloves. It was snowy outside, and he wasn’t going to let himself freeze to death on Christmas eve, especially with the promise of meeting with Touya for a lovely date.
He checked his watch as he stood in the cold, and watched as the sun fell and the streetlights flickered on. It was almost time.
From afar, he could make out the rather tall man he knew and loved, even with his hair pressed down by a hat and his hands huddled near his face to preserve the warmth.
“Touya! Right on time!” Akito smiled, shoving the box into his pocket and running towards the other. However, he stopped in his tracks as he watched the other’s hands fall to reveal an almost imperceptible but unmistakably troubled expression.
“...Touya?”
His expression changed immediately to a false smile. “..! Ah! Yes?”
His eyes narrowed at the other with suspicion.
“...Touya.”
“Yes?”
“Touya.”
“Y...Yes?”
He wasn’t getting anywhere by just repeating his name. What was he doing?
“Something’s wrong, I can tell.” He moved closer and put his hands on Touya’s shoulders. “What is it?”
“Um...”
“Something with your dad? Wait, no. We’re too old for that. Something with your work?”
Touya shook his head. “No. It’s... Er...” He paused, looking down at his own hands.
“...I... I know why you brought me here.”
WHAT?
Akito’s eyes widened.
Did An or Kohane tell him? Oh, if that stupid black and blue haired girl let the secret loose then I SWEAR to GOD she is not getting that CD for christmas holy shi—
“To exchange gifts. Early.”
Oh!
A sigh of relief flew out like a wave, crashing over and calming his mind immediately. Thank GOD! This could be worse!
“O-Oh! Yeah! Yeah. Totally. But uh. What’s the problem with that?”
All of a sudden, Touya shrank. Shoulders caving in and everything. His voice lowered into a mere whisper...
“...yourgifthasntbeendeliveredyet.”
“What.”
“Your... Er... Gift hasn’t been delivered yet.”
What??
Akito was staring in disbelief at his distressed boyfriend.
Was this what he was stressing about?
Touya took his silence as a sign for him to explain himself, which he really did do.
“—! I-I... I bought you a motorcycle because I’ve been so afraid that I’ve held you back and pulled you away from risks and the entire wild life we lived in our teens but the motorcycle still hasn’t come and I don’t believe it’s really going to be ready in time for Christmas..!!!”
He huffed, out of breath from everything he had just said. He expected disappointment, or a bit of sadness from the other, but nothing like that came.
Akito’s gaze softened, and he put his hand on Touya’s cheek.
“...Did you really buy me one?”
He nodded. “Mhm... I know how much you’ve been wanting one for ages now...”
“You really didn’t have to, y’know...” He chuckled. “You shouldn’t feel like you’ve pulled me away from the past, either.”
Touya lifted his head slowly, with a sense of confusion and relief at the same time.
“If anything, I’m kind of glad that we’re in a calmer place in life.” Akito went on, making sure that he could segue into the words he had held onto so tightly for years, words that he planned to say for so long and had now found the time to do so.
“Touya, you’ve been the best partner anyone could ever ask for. You’ve supported me, you’ve been the one balancing out my entire being. You’re kind, you’re smart, you’re really talented, but most importantly, you’re the guy I’ve been in love with since I first met you. Ever since we started singing together, I always felt that you were the one.”
Touya’s eyes softened, he felt calm and happy, and nothing could ever prepare him for what would happen next.
Akito reached into his pocket, and took out a tiny blue box.
“Aoyagi Touya. I want to stand by you until the end of time.”
He kneeled down, and opened the box, presenting a beautiful ring.
“Will you marry me?”
All of a sudden, any remaining nerves that flooded Touya’s mind were gone as he began to smile. Tears welled up in his eyes as he nodded.
“Yes... Yes! I-I will!”
Akito’s own face lit up as he slipped the ring onto the other’s finger, before standing up and hugging the other tightly and not daring to let go. He didn’t care that his gift wasn’t here on time, because the only gift he wanted was Touya, and he wouldn’t want anything else in the world.
—
“About time!” An exclaimed, serving the newly engaged couple their usual cups of coffee. “I mean, you’ve been together for so long already. I was considering the possibility that you guys eloped or something.”
Akito shot her a look that made her scowl. “Yeah, yeah, say anything more and you’re not coming to our wedding.”
“—!!! Hey! Would you really not invite me and ‘hane? How could you!”
“I never said anything about her, she’s obviously coming.”
“Hey!! Kohaneee... Is this because you helped him propose or something...”
Kohane giggled as she walked towards her behind the counter. “Yeah... But don’t worry! I’m sure you can be on your best behaviour, ehehe...”
An groaned, glaring at Akito.
“...Fine. I’ll keep my mouth shut! Hmph.”
Touya let out a chuckle. The other really put his heart into planning all of this. It made him smile at the thought.
“So, Touya, how about after the wedding we ride on my soon-to-arrive motorcycle? One of those “Just Married” things that they show on TV?”
“Not a chance...”