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Hizashi hummed to himself as he looked at the bracelets. He knew it was unorthodox but he was really excited about the idea of gifting Shouta something other than an engagement ring. It’s not that he didn’t think Shouta wouldn’t wear a ring…
He hummed to himself and looked around to see where Nemuri, who was helping him out, wandered away. He spotted her being distracted by shiny crystal jewellery. Typical.
“Nem,” He said quietly as he approached her. “Come here.” He tugged her gently to the side of the store, by some tall and very clearly fake plant, plastic leaves shining in the ambient lightning, so unfitting the elegant vibe of the store.
“Sup, babydoll?” Nemuri asked cheerfully. “Choice made and ready to make an honest man out of our kittycat?”
Hizashi sighed and ran a hand through his ponytail. “That’s the problem,” he pouted. “You know I was feeling oh so hipster and wanted to buy him a bracelet because he already wears the one I gifted him in second year as a promise bracelet but…”
He stopped and bit his lower lip. Nemuri smiled at him gently, though she’d raised her eyebrow a bit; all in all, she had an expression like he was being silly.
“You want to stake your claim and the world to know he’s a taken man?” She prompted.
Hizashi sighed and nodded.
“And there’s nothing wrong with that!” She cheered. “Come on!”
She dragged him over to the engagement ring section, the store employee looking at them suspiciously. Nemuri just flashed him with a bright smile and forced Hizashi to look at the rings.
He had to admit, they were pretty. Some were very elaborate, of course, making even him, someone who loved to accessorise and epitome of cringe, feel meh about it,, but some were subtle, much more like Shouta.
They spent more than an hour watching different rings, Nemuri taking over and requesting the clerk to bring the ones they had in the back. Finally… finally, Hizashi saw the one.
A black tungsten stone, with a thin golden thread weaving between edges and through the middle.
“This one,” he whispered as his hands hovered over it, eyes sparkling with happiness. “Definitely this one.”
The clerk nodded. “Very well, sir. Would you like something to be engraved inside?”
Hizashi smiled. “Forever my Starlight.”
The clerk nodded again. “It should be ready for pickup in a week.”
“Perfect.”
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It was hard, waiting a week to see the final result. Hizashi was getting antsy by day three. He knew Shouta was getting suspicious but Hizashi just blamed it on new responsibilities he got at the radio station as production assistant and complained loudly for good measure.
Then there was the case of restricting their soulmate connection. He knew if he kept the lines open, Shouta would realise something was off, with how excited Hizashi was. So he kept projecting his feelings to a minimum. It was difficult; they were so open with each other, they weren’t really practicing controlling their feelings via soulbond and now Hizashi had to keep it up for most of the day, which was exhausting. The day the ring came was particularly challenging, he was so excited and happy he was nearly bouncing off walls. Shouta kept throwing him weird looks and all Hizashi could do was smile sheepishly and say that he was just in an amazing mood that day.
He went with Nemuri, who was supposed to hide the ring until the proposal Hizashi was planning in two weeks during hanami. Hizashi couldn’t imagine a better moment for a proposal than under cherry blossoms, the symbol of new beginnings and the period when they met for the first… well, second time, but it was the first real one, ok? He knew that he wouldn’t be able to not look at the ring every other second, hence safekeeping it in Nemuri’s place.
Nemuri had to literally hold him down before they entered the store, he was bouncing on the balls of his heels so much. He couldn’t help it! They discussed marriage a year prior, even if they knew they never wanted to spend their eternity with anyone else. From that night under the covers when they talked details out (finances, whose name they’d keep, a serious discussion about kids rather than the offhand comments in passing), Hizashi was planning the engagement.
And the wedding. Definitely the wedding. He already had a board with pins for inspirations and he couldn’t wait to put them in a presentation and pull them up for Shouta to make the decisions.
The moment the clerk showed them the ring left Hizashi breathless. The ring was as beautiful as he last saw it but the clerk made sure the inscription was facing them and…
It was beautiful. The kanji was on the thinner side but still firm, a statement that wasn’t overwhelming. Just like Shouta. Hizashi couldn’t imagine a better inscription to represent his husband-to-be and everything he meant to Hizashi.
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The next two weeks were the most excruciating Hizashi ever felt. He was so excited yet nervous about it, constantly on his phone texting Nemuri and Tensei to make sure everything is prepared, asking them if the plan is good, reminding them the details. He was pretty sure they were going to strangle him sooner rather than later for constantly bothering them with messages. Nemuri already sent some rather threatening gifs of a shovel being carried and Hizashi could read between the lines.
He also felt like shit for being avoidant towards Shouta. Not only he dampened the connection (when Shouta asked, he said he didn’t want to worry him with the work-related stress) but Shouta asked him once or twice who got him so busy texting. It was teasing and Hizashi answered with a bright smile that he was just talking with Nemuri and Tensei (true) about the newest tv show Shouta hadn’t watched yet (partially true) so he didn’t include him in the group chat to not spoil him (true again).
It was a spoiler, ok?
Shouta would just hum and get back to whatever he was doing, be it a police report or scrolling on the phone. He seemed a bit down, though, and Hizashi felt really guilty. He tried to make it up to Shouta by sending him even more cat memes than usual, and also put more effort into their bentos, making Shouta’s onigiti look like a kitty.
He couldn’t help but notice that Shouta became a bit distant though. He only hoped that it was his way of supporting him in a stressful period by giving him some space. Hizashi felt awful for icing Shouta but he couldn’t help it. He knew he wouldn’t be able to keep it under wraps otherwise. Shouta would know immediately! Hizashi would make it up to him, seriously.
Finally, the day of the picnic arrived. Hizashi packed all the food, their special bento boxes with wisteria patterns that Shouta’s parents gifted them just for picnics, knowing how fond both of them were about this activity. Inside was karaage, vegetables, plenty of onigiri, shrimp tempura. Hizashi planned grabbing some takoyaki on their way there, since they’d be passing a spot with absolutely the best stuff.
From the sweets, he’d made sure to pack Shouta’s favourite matcha and strawberry mochi, strawberry cheesecake he’d made the day before and a box of flower-themed namagashi. Nemuri was supposed to bring him azuki bean taiyaki, fresh from the bakery. Then he had flask with jasmine tea, apple juice and a bottle of sake, along with small cups.
Hizashi carefully started placing all the food inside as well. He stopped the moment he’d heard the doorbell ring and he rushed to open for Nemuri, shouting to Shouta, who was still in the bathroom. that he’ll open and he didn’t have to rush. On top, he put a small bouquet of forget-me-nots that he wanted to give Shouta.
Nemuri was outside, smiling, a bag with a mirror camera over her shoulders. She and Tensei were supposed to observe from a distance and take the photos before joining Shouta and Hizashi and giving them a small engagement photoshoot, if Shouta were up for it. She handed Hizashi two bags with takoyaki and taiyaki. Then, she pulled out the velvet box and handed it to him reverently, then kissed him on the cheek.
“Sweep him off his feet, babe,” she said before making herself scarce to let Hizashi finish preparations and get to the park.
Hizashi closed the door, food in one hand, the other curling around the box. The solid weight of it made the proposal too real all of a sudden and his heartbeat sped up. He quickly let go of the box to avoid sweating all over it; he just made sure it wouldn’t fall out of the pocket and wiped sweat off his forehead.
“Everything alright?” Shouta’s concerned voice made him jump and he turned to his future fiance with a nervous smile.
“Of course, Kitten!” Hizashi laughed too loudly, cringing at the volume. Shouta didn’t. He never had.
He also didn’t look convinced, making Hizashi stressed even more. He realised Shouta was all dressed up already and decided to use it as an out.
“Should we go?” He offered and Shouta nodded, still eyeing him suspiciously.
Hizashi rushed to the kitchen to add the bags from Nemuri to the backpack and was with Shouta in under a minute, grabbing his spring leather jacket off the back of the couch.
They decided to ditch their old car and take the train, assuming that there’s gonna be a ton of traffic with everyone going to the park for a party. Hizashi was praying silently that Nemuri and Tensei were able to save them the spot Hizashi had carefully scouted after two weeks of visiting different parks. In the end, the most perfect park turned out to be the one where he and Shouta had met for the very first time in the peony garden. He couldn’t have imagined a better spot.
They managed to get to the spot and Hizashi sighed with relief when he saw Shouta’s favourite blanket and pillows all spread out. Nobody dared take the place that was clearly reserved and it seemed most of the people had decided to stick closer to the food establishments so their closest vicinity was empty.
Hizashi smiled at Shouta brightly as they approached the blanket but he had a bad feeling when Shouta glared at the blanket. He wished he could know what was going on with his soulmate but the connection only worked both ways so he had no insight into Shouta’s feelings.
He set up the blanket and started unpacking, Shouta helping him out in a stone cold silence. When everything was laid out, Shouta sat down, hugging knees to his chest, and stared in the distance.
Hizashi sat down, feeling awkward as all hell. What was going on? What did he do wrong?
Finally, he spoke up. He couldn't stand the tension and talking was what he was the best at.
“Babe?” He asked quietly and Shouta grimaced, making Hizashi sick with worry. “What… is going on?”
Shouta was quiet for a long moment and Hizashi really had to stop himself from fidgeting.
“Are you…” Shouta grumbled. It was clear he didn’t know how to put his feelings into words. Hizashi understood; they’d been connected for the past seven years and were usually able to solve any tension before it escalated. They weren’t used to confrontation.
“Are you cheating on me?”
Hizashi froze.
“The fuck?” He finally said and Shouta looked to the side to glare at him. “No, seriously Starlight, what the fuck?”
“You tell me!” Shouta raised his voice. “You act all shady, constantly on your phone. You closed our soulmate connection. You seem all anxious yet I can see the moments when you’re chirpier than normal, which for you is an incredible feat. What am I supposed to think?”
Hizashi stared at Shouta, tears gathering in his eyes. Wrong, so wrong. He wanted to be mad at Shouta for ever thinking he could cheat on him but… when you put it that way…
Anger boiled in his veins, at himself, at this stupid plan, at the stupid ring in his pocket…
The ring!
He took a deep breath. It was fine. He fucked up but there was still a way to fix it. He just had to explain himself.
“Shouta,” he said quietly and Shouta, who went back to staring into the distance, refused to turn around. He raised his shoulders up to his ears and he looked so defensive Hizashi hated himself even more.
“Starlight,” he whispered and shuffled to Shouta, their shoulders touching. “Come on, kitty cat, please look at me. I’m not cheating on you, I could never.”
“Then why,” Shouta croaked, voice thick and tears in his eyes.
Hizashi lifted his left hand and reached for Shouta’s right cheek to cup it and gently turn Shouta’s head towards himself.
“I’m sorry,” Hizashi whispered and leaned forward to kiss the tip of Shouta’s nose. It never failed to make Shouta blush.
“I had… a plan. A surprise really. For you. Tensei and Nemuri helped me plan but I couldn’t spoil it for you and… and I closed off the connection. Because I knew you’d know something was up.”
“A surprise?” Shouta asked hesitantly, like he wanted to believe that was all there was to it. “What could’ve been so important… Hizashi, our connection.”
Hizashi sighed.
“Yeah… I…”
He took a deep breath and reached into his pocket to pull out the velvet box. It was so dark it seemed almost black but in the sunlight you could see it was a beautiful green.
“About our connection…”
He opened the box without looking at it; he was too busy staring at Shouta, whose eyes dropped to the ring and widened in recognition before quickly jumping back to Hizashi, disbelief and awe clear.
“I want the entire world to know,” he whispered and Shouta reached with both hands to grab the collar of his jacket to pull him into a searing kiss. Hizashi could taste the saltiness from the tears and he pulled back to gently wipe Shouta’s face, who laughed.
“I’m sorry for accusing you,” he apologised and Hizashi shook his head.
“No, I was an idiot. I didn’t think about how it looked from your perspective.” He looked at the ring. “May I?” He asked and he sounded hopeful even to his own ears.
Shouta simply presented his hand for Hizashi to tenderly slip the ring on. It fit perfectly. Shouta carefully traced the ring with the thumb of his other hand. It was glinting in the sun and, in Hizashi’s humble opinion, was even more beautiful than in the store.
“It’s beautiful,” Shouta said, as if he read Hizashi’s thoughts.
Oh, right.
Hizashi took a deep breath and released their connection. He was immediately flooded with an unbound happiness. He knew he had a dopey smile himself and the moment their eyes met again, they leaned for a kiss like they were pulled in by magical force. The kiss was sweet and tender, a gentle press of lips and Hizashi cupped Shouta’s cheek, his thumb caressing his skin. He hadn’t even realised how the missing connection affected him, too caught up in his thoughts. Now? It felt like he was whole again.
“Never again, ok?” Shouta whispered against Hizashi’s lips.
Hizashi hummed. “Never again,” he agreed. “Not worth it.”
They laid on the blanket on their sides and started kissing again, too wrapped up in each other to appreciate the sakura blooming above them or Tensei and Nemuri running towards them to congratulate the engaged couple.