Work Text:
It was one of those rare mornings when Sakurazaki woke up first. Usually, it was Unmei, as he could get out of bed after only the first alarm, unlike him. There was no such thing as cozy, lazy mornings with that stubborn brat. He looked down at his long-time boyfriend, sleeping on his chest, with one leg laid over his torso. He was wearing his way too big club t-shirt and underwear, and his short, turquoise hair, which he decided to cut a few years ago in order to “look more professional,” was everywhere around his chest. Trying not to wake him up, he slid his fingers into them and started twirling the strands.
That's when the alarm started to ring. Unmei automatically opened his eyes and raised his head.
‘Oh, you're already awake,' he said. 'Why didn't you wake me?’
‘Because then you would jump out of bed and kick me out of it, and I wanted to lie for a little bit longer.'
‘Yeah, like I could even move my legs.' He moved closer to his face and wrapped his arms around his neck. 'Take my kindness as a favor, 5 more minutes.'
It was extremely rare for him not to get out of bed as quickly as possible, so he didn't have to think twice. Sakurazaki hugged him closer, smelling his fresh grass-scented hair and just enjoying his presence. Over all those years they've been together, a lot happened between them or in their lives, but in the end, they always knew that no matter what, they could rely on each other. Whether it came to Jouji’s career or Sasanami’s sickness, it was always the two of them against the world.
‘Time’s out,' he whispered into his neck.
‘You’re heartless.'
‘I wish; unfortunately I have one and it's broken,' he joked, slowly trying to raise up, but Sakurazaki was still holding it in a tight grip.
'Unfunny,' but when he got a kiss on the forehead, he let him get up.
‘C’mon, we have to take a shower’ he sat at the edge of their bed and reached for his cane.
When they were at the university, he had a very serious attack and ended up in the hospital for a couple of days. Sakurazaki was there with him all this time, sleeping on the floor and making sure he had everything he needed and even more. Since then his condition got even worse and he started having those mobility issues.
They walked into the bathroom and started taking off their clothes. Their small apartment, including the bathroom, had some facilities for the disabled, so he could comfortably function in there, but it was still way faster if Jouji was helping him.
He stood under the shower and leaned on the handle in order not to fall. His boyfriend grabbed a bottle of shampoo and carefully started washing his hair. Slow, gentle moves done by his fingers were probably one of Unmei's favorite feelings. And he was truly blessed with a possibility to experience it every single day. He closed his eyes when Jouji started washing off the foam. And he didn't open them when he moved to taking care of his body. He’d never forgotten about any part; from head to toes, he was making sure to wash every inch of his skin. He held his hand to lather his armpits, then elbows, the rest of the arms, and finished on every single finger and knuckle, rinsing it with warm water.
When he finished with his bottom body parts and turned off the water, Unmei bent down and, leaving a gentle kiss on his forehead, whispered a short "Thank you, love," even though he was telling him every single time he didn't have to. But it was just Unmei; extremely stubborn and in love.
After he helped him with dressing up, Sasanami got out of the bathroom to prepare breakfast for them while Jouji was taking a shower. He reached for the file they got from the club nutritionist to check if there were any specific recommendations for today.
After they both graduated, Jouji debuted as a professional player very quickly and soon was one of the best footballers in the whole country. Meanwhile, Unmei became his personal manager, taking care of his diet, health, career-related travels, social media, and everything a pro would need. And thanks to that, they could always be together, no matter if Sakurazaki had to go play in another country or just do his daily trainings. And Unmei was absolutely the best at what he was doing, because not even the most qualified specialist in the world would be as careful, caring, and preventive as someone who loves you from the bottom of their heart. He'd never let him catch any injury, skip medicines or doctors' appointments, or do anything that would cause him any harm. Not because he was getting paid, but because he wanted to see him achieving his dreams. And be a part of those dreams.
‘You need any help?’ he heard across the room.
Sakurazaki was standing there in full club attire with his hair still all wet. Unlike Unmei, he decided to keep his a little bit longer than in middle school, so most of the time he was wearing them tied up. He came to him and hugged him from the back, kissing his temple.
‘Nah, it's almost done, but thanks’ he answered without looking away from the food ‘or you can make me some coffee if you want. And how many times do I have to tell you to dry your hair before hugging me? My shirt is all wet now.'
‘Yeah, yeah,' he muttered but anyway started making the coffee for him.
Unmei put both plates on the table and sat in front of one of them, reaching for his tablet lying next to him. Jouji joined him, passing him his coffee.
‘Today we're leaving training an hour earlier because you have a physiotherapy session in the evening’ started listing ‘and because you have an interview tomorrow in the morning we have to go to sleep early enough…Oh, and somewhere in between we have to go buy some groceries because we ran out of eggs and milk’
Jouji would never say that out loud, but he loved how even though it was only his career and his appointments, Unmei was always using the word "we."
‘And when in our tight schedule can I take my beautiful boyfriend for a date?’
‘Quit joking, you know your team has a very important match this month.' He looked up over the tablet.
‘And after that, the next match is in another three months,' he started, reaching for his hand. "So…maybe if we win, we can take some time off and travel somewhere?’
‘It…may be worth considering,' he replied, squeezing his hand, ‘but you have to win first.'
‘Don’t worry, winning a professional match is nothing compared to persuading my extremely stubborn manager.'
‘So at first I was a beautiful boyfriend, and now I am a stubborn manager,' he sighed ironically. 'Decide which one I am.'
‘A man with a lot of talents’
Unmei stood up as an answer and, messing his hair, said.
‘Go dry them after you finish eating; we're leaving in 15 minutes.'
‘Yes, sir,' he grabbed his hand from his hair and pressed it to his lips.
‘You’re really touchy today,' he said after a while.
‘You started it with those “five more minutes.'"
‘So it's my fault now?’ He tilted his head as Sakurazaki stood in front of him. 'You want me to regret that?’
‘Who said I didn't enjoy that?' He hugged him. ‘And you?’
‘...just go and get ready; we're leaving in 5 minutes now.'
‘Yeah, yeah, love ya too.’