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Having an unrequited crush on Arisu was annoying.
Of course he liked him. Who didn’t? But thanks to the panic he instinctively had upon realizing he had feelings for the doe eyed boy, he ruined any chance he had when he tried to sacrifice him for a partial deck of cards.
Fast forward through another month of trauma that had apparently happened over the course of one minute after being hit by a meteor and Chishiya had unbelievably ended up being considered by Arisu to be his best friend.
That was fine, in theory. Chishiya was happy to have him in his life at all but like he said, who didn’t have a crush on Arisu.
One night he had gotten a text from Arisu asking if he could meet up with him at a bar that was close to the small house he had moved into. When Chishiya finally arrived, Arisu was up at the bar, looking extremely uncomfortable as some guy was animatedly talking to him about something.
He met Arisu’s eyes and instantly saw the silent plea for rescue, and who was he to deny him.
Chishiya pushed his way next to Arisu and slid an arm around his waist. Fluttering his lashes he looked up.
“Hello Arisu~” He purred. “Sorry I was late. I’ve been looking forward to out date all day.”
“Oh?” The annoyance asked, raising an eyebrow. “I didn’t know you were seeing someone.”
Arisu was to flustered to speak.
“He is.” Chishiya answered for him.
The man laughed. “Understood, let me get out of your hair Arisu and…”
“Chishiya.”
“Arisu and Chishiya. Well. See you around.” He said and then took his leave.
He waited until he had turned the corner before releasing his grip and turning to face Arisu. “There. Taken care of.”
“Listen Chishiya, I appreciate it but you really didn’t have to do that.” Arisu said in a hushed whisper.
Chishiya just rolled his eyes. “Its fine. The bastard was bothering you. I can manage a night of being your boyfriend.”
“That’s what I’m trying to say! Chishiya! That’s my neighbor!”
… Well shit.
♠️♦️♣️❤️
While impulsively pretending to be Arisu’s boyfriend in front of what was apparently his neighbor when he had the most ridiculous crush on the doe eyed boy was not his smartest move, the consequences could have been worse.
Of course one solution would be to have a fake breakup but that left two issues. The first being having to explain away why they were still so friendly when the bastard caught them out. The second was that Arisu would again be available in his eyes which… defeated the purpose of his intervention.
So instead, they decided to just… keep the charade going.
This meant that at least twice a week, Chishiya had to make the trek over to his apartment to hang out. It was simple enough, and they were friends so the extra time spent together was hardly a burden. They just needed Tanaka to see them hanging out relatively frequently. The crush was as manageable as it was before.
Eventually, they started wanting to do more than just lounge around Arisu’s apartment. So they started going on little outings. That’s all they were, and if it felt like they were on a date, well… That was what it was supposed to look like! Realistically, Tanaka had the potential of spotting them anywhere, so they had to act like they were on a date.
It was just holding hands.
And sharing an umbrella when it rained.
And leaning against Arisu if they were sat next to each other.
It was for the integrity of Arisu’s cover story of course. So what if every touch set butterflies aflutter in Chishiya’s stomach. His crush was getting more painful, but that was fine- he was being a good friend.
♠️♦️♣️❤️
This had been going on for a few months at this point and something just wasn’t quite right. Arisu and him had been ‘dating’ long enough that it would be suspicious if they were never caught being… more physically affectionate.
Even still, when after one of their not dates Arisu shyly asked Chishiya if he could kiss him, he wasn’t prepared.
Chishiya felt warmth rush to his face, heart racing as Arisu waited nervously for an answer. His gaze went immediately to Arisu’s lips. How often had he imagined how they would feel? Chishiya bit at his own; Arisu was asking to kiss him. He wanted to, he really wanted to.
“I-” Chishiya tried to respond, only to be interrupted by Tanaka stepping out of the house to take something to the curb.
Oh. Yeah. This wasn’t real.
He gave Arisu a small smile and nodded. The sunshine smile from him almost making up for the stab of pain at the reminder that it was all for show. Maybe it was a betrayal of his trust to be going along with this when Arisu was unaware of Chishiya’s true feelings for him.
But Chishiya was selfish and it was in the name of protecting him. So when Arisu leaned down to brush their lips together, hands settling on his waist, Chishiya pushed himself onto his toes to meet him half way and wrapped his arms around his neck.
The kiss was everything he could have imagined and more; soft and slow, their lips lingered. Chishiya never wanted it to end, wanted to live in this moment, but Arisu eventually pulled away. His eyes were crinkled with what Chishiya could only imagine to be mirth and messing with his neighbor.
“I want to do that again.” He said breathlessly.
Chishiya agreed, of course an escalation in the intimacy of a relationship wouldn’t only be seen once. He’d just need to suck it up and… keep kissing Arisu goodnight.
♠️♦️♣️❤️
The two of them were at a restaurant they had frequented over their fake relationship. Wringing his napkin nervously Arisu offered that Chishiya could call him Ryouhei if he would like. They had been ‘together’ for 6 months. It was a bit strange to still be using exclusively their family names.
Chishiya’s face felt warm at the offer and nodded. “Okay…” He said shyly. “Mine is Shuntarou… if you would like…”
“Shuntarou…” He tried.
His heart raced. Chishiya had never heard it said with such affection.
Arisu kept using his name throughout the night. He couldn’t quite look him in the eye knowing just how red he must be. That was probably the game, poking fun at his reaction.
That night Chishiya decided to retaliate.
“Goodnight Ryouhei~” He breathed when he parted from their evening kiss on his doorstep.
Chishiya allowed himself to look at him then but instead of bright red, Arisu’s eyes were bright and his smile even brighter.
“Goodnight Shuntarou” He said squeezing his hand.
Chishiya huffed and turned around walking off.
For the act. It was for the act. There were no reason for the butterflies to turn to bees.
♠️♦️♣️❤️
There was absolutely nothing that could have prepared Chishiya for the next development.
He was selfishly enjoying the kisses they would exchange at the end of their ‘dates'. They were soft and lingering and they made him feel so warm. Arisu held him close and for the moments that they were pressed together Chishiya could pretend that this was real.
One night when they broke for air Arisu pressed his forehead to Chishiya’s.
“We should head inside.” He panted, breath heavy. “That is, if you would like to keep…”
The porch light next door turned off.
“Okay.” Chishiya eventually responded. Maybe he wanted to discuss more plans. “Yeah. We can- Yes.”
Arisu hummed, seemingly pleased by his response, and then kissed him again. “Perfect. Let me just…”
He turned around, to unlock the door and then reached out taking Chishiya’s hand and pulling him over the threshold. Arisu led him past the living room and straight to the bedroom, only letting go of his hand to shut the door behind him. Chishiya made his way over to the window, glancing out at the garden between the houses.
Chishiya gasped as warm hands slipped beneath his shirt and settled on his stomach, pulling him back flush against Arisu’s chest.
“What did you-” His question was broken off by a startled moan when Arisu mouthed at his neck, nipping the skin.
His head fell back against him and he felt Arisu smile against his pulse. “You’re so beautiful Shun. Can’t believe-”
“Ryouhei? Wh-” Chishiya groaned when one of his hands trailed down press against the rapidly growing evidence of his arousal.
Arisu hummed pleased before turning Chishiya around in his arms. “And you’re so vocal, I never would have guessed.”
He leaned down and captured his lips in a demanding kiss but after a second, caught on to Chishiya’s hesitation and pulled back. “Hey, Shun? We don’t have to if you aren’t-”
The softness of his tone brought clarity to his brain. Of course. The window, it was cracked open and it had been 8 months at this point? With how much time the two of them had to dedicate to this ruse of course Arisu was pent up. Chishiya wasn’t… opposed…
“No. We can… I was just surprised.” He admitted.
Sure he felt bad doing this when Arisu was unaware of his real feelings but Arisu was the one to suggest it.
“If you’re sure.” Arisu said. “I’m nervous too, but I did some research.” A kiss. “Can I take care of you tonight?” Another. “I want to make you feel good.”
Chishiya swallowed his nerves down. “Yes. You can.”
And he did.
By the time Arisu fell next to him on the bed they were both out of breath and completely spent.
“That was… amazing.” Arisu smiled, reaching blindly to tangle their fingers together. “Can you stay?”
He didn’t take much convincing. Chishiya was already half asleep. “Yes. I can stay.”
♠️♦️♣️❤️
“You know, you’re already over here most nights. And my place is closer to your hospital right? Would you want to… move in?”
Chishiya looked to the side to see Tanaka waving at the two of them.
“That makes sense, but you don’t have a second bedroom. Where would I-”
Arisu giggled and reached over to pull him into a brief kiss. “You’re cute.”
♠️♦️♣️❤️
Chishiya was out in the back, working on the small part of the garden he had commandeered as his own during the two months they had been living together.
“Shun?”
Chishiya smiled. “Yes Ryo?”
“I understand that you love those strawberry plants more than me but can I please have a moment of your time?” He teased.
“If you insist…” Chishiya laughed, brushing his hands off on his pants and standing up turning around to face him. “What do you-”
Arisu was standing in front of him with a small bouquet of flowers and a folder, a nervous smile on his face.
“I know this seems out of nowhere.” Arisu began. “I really debated on what the best way to do this was, but I figured you’d rather not make a big deal out of it.”
“Ryouhei? Is everything okay?” He asked, concerned.
Arisu laughed. “Yes. Yes. I’m fine just… nervous.”
Chishiya tilted his head. “You don’t need to be, its just me.”
“Yeah. You’re right. Here it goes.” Arisu took a deep breath. “We’ve been doing this for a year now, and I know that it might be too soon for most. But we both know how fragile life is, and I’d rather not waste another minute.”
“Ryouhei what are you-”
“Chishiya Shuntarou. Will you marry me?”
He was pretty sure his heart stopped. Again.
“What?”
Arisu stepped forward, handing Chishiya the folder and then cupping his face. “I want to spend my life with you Shun. I got all the paperwork ready. All we have to do is bring them back signed and it will be official.”
“I-”
“Congratulations!” Tanaka shouted from the other side of the garden. “Sorry I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but I’m just so happy for you two!”
“Tanaka!” Arisu laughed. “He hasn’t answered yet!”
“Oh! My bad ignore me! I’ll just…” Embarrassed the neighbor scurried away.
Chishiya was bright red, when Arisu turned his eyes back to him. “So… will you?”
“Yes. I… okay.”
Chishiya might be in over his head.
♠️♦️♣️❤️
When Kuina discovered that the two of them had filed the paperwork and were now legally married without her knowledge she was… not pleased to say the least.
To make amends Arisu suggested that they could have a small ‘wedding’ in the backyard. When Chishiya agreed to let her plan it, including his hair and outfit, she declared that they were forgiven.
It really was a small affair. Kuina was running the ceremony. Usagi and An were there. They every found a few of the other survivors of the meteor. A grumpy looking Aguni leaned against the house arms crossed, clearly forced to be there by Heiya.
Tanaka had seen them setting up and when Kuina excitedly explained what was going on he hurried back inside. An hour later he emerged, changed and with a tray of baked goods to share with everyone.
Chishiya wasn’t sure of what to make of it all, to be honest he had been in a daze for the majority of the evening. But Arisu looked happier than he had ever seen him, and that was enough for him.
Kuina had them exchange rings. They shared a kiss and cheers rang out around them.
When they broke away, Chishiya glanced out to everyone there and spotted Tanaka wiping tears away from his face.
“We did it.” Arisu whispered next to him.
Chishiya couldn’t help but smile. “I guess we did.”
♠️♦️♣️❤️
Two years had passed since their ‘wedding’ and their lives followed a rather pleasant rhythm.
Arisu’s career as a game developer had taken off. He loved working from home and the flexibility it gave him. Chishiya finished residency and settled into an easier and more predictable schedule which Arisu seemed to appreciate. They slept together rather frequently and Arisu took great pleasure in taking care of him in and out of the bedroom.
Kuina Usagi and An often came over for movie nights and evenings in the garden, and once a month Tanaka would come over with his latest baking attempt and the three of them would spend the evening in the living room talking about the intricacies of using plant based substitutions in baking and how the chemical reactions differed.
“I actually had some news to share.” Tanaka said one night between bites of strawberry pie. “I have the opportunity to be the head baker at the shop I was telling you about? It’s such a good opportunity, but it means I am leaving Japan! Australia here I come!”
Chishiya’s heart sunk.
“Oh? That’s amazing Tanaka! You’ve worked so hard!” Arisu was beaming. “We’ll miss having you over though!”
“Yeah I’ll miss you guys too! You have me spoiled as neighbors. No one will live up to the experience of living next to you two.” He said with a smile.
After taking a long drink of his wine, Chishiya caught Tanaka’s eye. “When do you leave?”
“Oh…” He said, scratching his head. “Tomorrow. It was a pretty last minute thing.”
Chishiya hummed as Arisu went straight into figuring out what he could do to help with the move.
Before he new it Tanaka was waving goodbye and Arisu was wished him luck.
“Wow.” Arisu breathed. “I can’t believe he did it.”
“Yeah.” Chishiya couldn’t hide the disappointment in his voice.
“Shun? What’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. It’s good. You can get back to your life now, and I…”
“Hey.” Arisu came over to him. “Back to my life? What are you talking about?”
Chishiya huffed. “We can stop pretending. I can move out and you can-”
“Move out? Why would you-”
“Because Tanaka is going to be gone! So you don’t have to pretend like we are together so he leaves you alone!”
Arisu just blinked. “I don’t follow…”
“You don’t have to pretend you love me anymore. You can have your life back and I-”
“Shiya! I do love you! What are you talking about! We’ve been together for 3 years. We’ve been married for two!”
“Yes! Because you had to convince Tanaka that this wasn’t fake.” Chishiya said with tears threatening to spill. “I’m okay, I promise. I’m just happy I got to have you at all.”
“Chishiya!”
Chishiya went still and cast his eyes to the ground until a warm hand prompted him to meet Arisu’s gaze.
“You thought that this was all an act?”
He nodded, throat to dry to answer.
“But I thought… we… oh my god Chishiya you didn’t want any of this?”
“I did!” Chishiya was quick to correct, seeing the horrified look on his face and guessing exactly where Arisu’s mind was going. “I-”
Chishiya swallowed, his face turning red at what he was about to confess. “I’ve had a huge crush on you since I saw you in the 5 of Spades. I love you. And I know its wrong that I never told you how I felt when this was obviously just an act for you but, you didn’t force me into anything I didn’t want. I promise. I’m so sorry.”
“Oh Shun.” Arisu sighed, too much compassion in his eyes before he pulled him into a hug. “It was never an act.”
“…It wasn’t?”
“No! I mean I asked if you wanted to go on a real date with me that night at the bar and…” Arisu laughed. “Shiya. We are married! Legally Married!”
Chishiya pulled back. “Wait! You… You like me too?”
“Shuntarou. I love you. My god. I can’t… I thought you were a Diamond specialist.”
Chishiya was absolutely not pouting.
Arisu sighed. “Yes Shun. I like you very much. Now do I need to ask you to be my boyfriend again or can we skip all of that and go back to being husbands.”
“Husbands.” Chishiya said too quickly. “Husbands is fine.”
“Then come here husband. Let me show you just how much I love you since I apparently haven’t been clear.”
And who was Chishiya to deny him. After all, this time it was real.