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Naoya wasn’t the most loving husband, but you’d known what you’d gotten into when you married him. You cared for him anyway, and in his own twisted way you knew that he cared for you too, you could see it in the little things that he did that other people only saw his brashness in. He’d scold you for leaving the estate alone, not because you shouldn’t be independent but because he couldn’t protect you if you were out of sight; he would storm into rooms and rant and rave without ever asking how your day was, but it was because he trusted you most of all, and he’d never turn you away if you did the same; he would speak over you and shush you if you said something he didn’t approve of, but nobody else was permitted to speak over you, and more often than not he was protecting you from the backlash your opinion would spark if the sentence was finished. He was your husband, and despite everything you really wouldn’t have it any other way.
Another thing that it was hard not to appreciate about Naoya was his penchant for throwing money at you when he didn’t know how else to do something. He’d not been raised to express himself, words were far from his forte when it came to romance and he often felt ridiculous even trying, which translated quite readily into a love language of gift giving, and he more than had the money to back it up. Some people viewed it as him buying your love, but as with all those others things about him - you knew better. There was nothing meaningless behind a random bouquet of your favourite flowers turning up at your door while he was off on clan business, nothing empty behind him ensuring the kitchen was always stocked with your favourites, far beyond what you could reasonably consume, nothing hollow about all your jewellery being the right colour, with the gemstones you liked best. Some people settled for men who bought them gold jewellery when all they owned was silver, and flowers were an apology for cheating - not Naoya, and so truly nobody had any room to criticise him.
So it wasn’t all that unusual when you woke up to find the bed had been covered in rose petals while you slept - a gesture you both thought was ridiculous but that humour was at least half of the fun - and there on your nightstand was a perfectly prepared breakfast, covered over to keep it warm, alongside a tray of chocolates - the expensive ones from that independent store across the country. It was a sweet gesture, a simple ‘I’m still here even if you didn’t wake up beside me’ that wasn’t uncommon between you. You’d never tire of it though, you were sure of that.
At lunch came a meal prepared by the chefs rather than something simple you’d put together yourself, along with a new necklace and set of earrings, the two pieces to complete the set from which he’d bought you a bracelet not long ago. He’d complained at the time that the necklace and earrings were sold out, so clearly he’d gone back to complete the set for you. You briefly entertained the idea of having him wear one earring while you wore the other, so that you could match. It was silly, but the thought amused you nonetheless - maybe you’d ask him to do it just for a picture so you could pin it up with the rest of your collection.
You weren’t entirely sure where he’d gone that day, he didn’t always keep you in the loop with his schedule, but you were never short of things to do to entertain yourself around the estate while he was gone and so it was something that you’d adjusted to over time. He made up for it whenever he did return home though.
When evening rolled around, just as you’d been preparing to get yourself some dinner, a member of the staff approached and told you that a car would be there to pick you up soon, and you’d been asked to dress in the clothes waiting in the box on your bed. A box on your bed? You headed right there to find that, sure enough, a box was waiting. Inside, an outfit Naoya had presumably chosen was waiting for you, and so you quickly freshened up before dressing into it. It had obviously been perfectly tailored to your measurements, because Naoya was never one to falter on the details. The car drive wasn’t long, and it was quiet as it usually was with the staff.
When you eventually did stop, Naoya was there waiting for you, opening your car door and helping you out and to your feet.
“I knew that would look good on you.” He murmured as he took in your appearance, and you couldn’t help reaching up to fix a strand of his hair that had fallen out of place.
“What are we doing?” You asked your husband, looking around to take in where you were, and attempt to figure out what he had planned for a final time before he revealed it to you.
“We’re going for dinner.” He simply answered. He offered his arm to you, and you linked with him with a soft laugh. Of course, because what else?
The restaurant, you came to find, was entirely empty. He’d paid to rent the entire place so the two of you would be able to enjoy a high quality meal in peace, away from the compound. As you ate quietly, discussing the gossip you’d been hearing from around the estate when nobody thought you were listening, you realised that Naoya was staring at you.
“Is there something on my face?” You asked, grabbing the napkin beside your plate, but Naoya’s hand foudn yours and stopped you from reaching to touch your face.
“No, no. Just admiring the view of you before me.” Though romance may not be his thing, flirting certainly was something he’d managed to get a handle on over the years.
“Eat your food.” You insisted, poking the table beside his plate, but he didn’t move, or look away. “Okay, what?”
“Nothing. Just.. another year older, and you’re still the vision you were the day we met.”
“.. it’s my birthday.” You mumbled, looking down at the food in front of you.
“Of course it is. What did you think all this was?” Your husband asked, gesturing around at the empty building.
“You spoil me all the time, I didn’t even notice what date it was.”
“Then next year I’ll just have to do better then, I suppose, out do myself properly.”