Best Holiday Ever
It had been a wild night of mahjong and sake.
After a night of sleeping on the couch in his work clothes, waking up to a hangover with his other friends asleep on the floor, and then silently going to get a water with a painkiller was when he was ready to leave. Despite how funny the sight of seeing everyone in literal sleeping pile in the living room, with Uzui their host amongst them. He could only imagine Hinatsuru, Makio and Suma's reactions when they came home to that sight.
With a heavy sigh, he quietly put on his jacket hanging by the door and slipped on his shoes once he made sure everything was accounted for; his favorite blue fanny pack with his wallet and phone, his tie which was on wrapped around his forehead and then making sure he still had his socks on. Once he had assured himself, he made his way out of the house.
Judging by the fact the streets were quiet now it was safe to say that the festivities for New Years eve were done, which meant the stores were just opening as he walked down the empty shops. The sun had not yet risen all the way as he checked the time. Ah good that meant he would still be able to make it home to see it rise and pick up a pre made O-sechi ryori.
Kyojuro felt so guilty for last night.
Originally, he only intended to stay for an hour or two playing games and drinking with Tengen and the other teachers from the academy. Just to get some of the edge off from his anticipation of the New year and so he could just relax when he returned home to his boyfriend.
Instead he had just gotten wasted and now here he was on the streets instead of all snuggled up against his boyfriend in their futon and watching the sunrise through their window. Though it would be a most deserved punishment for not being there with Akaza yesterday. Hopefully buying the food today for the First day of the New year would help earn some forgiveness.
He wonders what glorious food he had missed due to his drunken mistake?
He soon came across the shop where his parents would buy O-sechi ryori, feeling a sense of relief when he sees that there was still a good selection. Knowing the people in this town they all probably were trying to recover from the festivities of last night. He slowly walked in and did a very quick scan of the shop before he goes to the counter.
"Hmm? Oh Good morning, Rengoku-san! My goodness you've grown since I last saw you!" An elderly man smiled at him kindly as he moved slowly over to the counter, "What can I get you on this day of the New year hmm? I have many fine selections of-"
"Good morning!" He still managed to sound as cheerful as ever as he put on his smile, "I would like three of your best O-sechi Ryori dishes please to bring home for tonight, thank you!" He bowed to him before standing back up straight. Thank the gods the painkillers had kicked in.
The old man smiled as he turned and went to go pick up the pre made ones that were out. They were quite large for those who had big appetites and Rengoku found himself thankful that he didn't have to ask for them to be bigger. Already he was drooling when they're placed down in front of him before he reached in to his wallet.
"Ah! No no, please! These are on me. Your father kindly came by and helped me unload my truck so many times last year, this is the least I can do for you!"
"Oh..!" Kyojuro blinked before he bowed again, "I..thank you!"
"Also!" the old man turned and puts down more items; sake, umeboshi plums, udon noodles, and tempura shrimp, "Your mother told me so much about your appetites and I would feel guilty if you were left hungry."
He blinked in bewilderment before he bowed again, "This is truly so kind of you, I don't know how to ever repay-"
"No repayment needed. I have been hoping you'd stop in and I could finally repay your family, Rengoku-san. Say hello to them for me!"
Kyojuro nodded as he stood back up and carried everything out of the shop, giving one last wave.
Oh what a lucky day this was for him! Delicious free food and being greeted so kindly despite how early it was..it sent a warm feeling through him. A good start so far though he tries not to hold his breath. As he started his walk back to the apartment building, he pulled out his phone to actually check to see if Akaza had messaged him back...and sighed when there are no new notifications.
"Ah, Good morning Rengoku-sensei!"
He blinked and stopped to smile when he sees three of his students passing him on bikes as they head in the opposite direction, "Good morning! Are you headed to the temples?"
"Yes!" Tanjiro smiled, dressed in a simple sweater and yoga pants, as Zenitsu was already far ahead groaning about sleep and Inosuke was laughing as he rushes ahead, "I left some food on your doorstep from my parents! I'll see you in class!"
Kyojuro blinked before he chuckled and smiled, "Thank you!"
He watched his favorite student ride off after his friends, smiling and laughing happily. Ah what a sweet sight for him to witness on this early morning...and he had a treat to look forwards to! He hummed softly as he continued on his way. Sometimes it made living in a small city like this all the more endearing.
He'll have to remember to get a thank you gift to send with Tanjiro to share with his family when classes resume.
As light started to fill the sky, more people he knew started to come out, greeting him and wishing him a happy new year full of fortune. Hearing all of them speak to him so warmly and kindly made him smile.
However he felt his smile brighten when he sees the apartment building and made his way to the elevator with an excited hum. Once the elevator opens, all he needed to do was turn left down the hall to the apartment door and then he would be home.
...
Akaza stared at the fixed up tiger figurine he had purchased yesterday and looked absolutely exhausted.
There was a bowl of barely eaten white rice he had cooked up to eat after cleaning up the mess that was supposed to be dinner last night and then spent the rest of said night just picking up all the pieces of the figurine and then carefully super glue them back together. His phone was facing down as he rested his head on his arms and looked at it with a vacant look.
Honestly as he looked at the tiger, he felt terrible.
He didn't know when Kyojuro was coming home. He didn't know if the cracks were too noticeable or not since his vision was a little hazy but he just prayed his boyfriend liked it regardless.
Gods...last night had sucked so bad...he just wanted a simple, chill evening with his lover. Instead, so many things went wrong for him in the span of a couple of hours and now that it was New Year's day, he just wanted to hang his head and get it over with. He lightly pulled his rice over to take a bite of it even though his hunger wasn't very strong.
"Mmm..." he sighed softly, so lost in his little miserable world he doesn't hear the door open.
However before he knew it, a stack of food is suddenly placed in front of him that has him almost falls back in his chair.
"Good morning, Anata!"
Akaza dropped his rice and it fell to the floor as he put a hand on his heart. His eyes had heavy circles under them as his face was a bit pale. He mumbled when arms wrap around him and a kiss is pressed to his cheek. it earns a small whine from the exhausted, miserable young man whose breakfast was on the floor.
"Kyojuro..." he mumbled.
"Hmm? Are you all right? You look exhausted my love..." warm calloused hands hold Akaza's face, causing a tired blush to form.
Kyojuro now frowned when he actually gets a good look at him and then gently he pushed some hair back. Seeing Kyojuro being so worried and looking him over like this...how could he possibly stay mad at this man for last night?
He sighed and leaned forwards, "...I was up all night fixing a gift I bought for you..."
"A gift? You didn't have to get me a gift, blaze of my heart..." Kyojuro's smile made him almost melt a little, "I would have been happy just seeing your cute face with your fluffy eye lashes..."
"Yes I did..." he slowly motioned at the figurine while choosing to ignore the comment about his eye lashes, "Mm...behold...the flaming tiger you've been dying to have..."
The surprise that forms on Kyojuro's face causes Akaza to smile back a bit even if he was wiped out from the stress of last night. A blackout, burnt dinner and other stuff almost made him want to stay in bed and wallow in misery once the fireworks had ended. However something had moved him to fix the figurine up before his boyfriend came home and so he did just that. Even if it took him eight hours and chugging down a bunch of caffiene.
Kyojuro leans in to look at it with wide eyes and smiled as he moved around it to get a better look with a happy noise escaping him, "Wasshoi...!"
Before he knew it, Akaza was suddenly lifted in the air, his eyes widened a little at the action as he looked down at the brightly smiling face of the man he loved more than anything. His feet dangling off the ground as he gripped on to his shirt. The warmth radiating off this man made Akaza immediately start to just nod off with a soft mumble, especially when he felt one of his hands rub up and down his back.
"Hmm...you really outdid yourself, my love...you didn't have to get me anything, just spending this time with you is enough...come let's get you into bed...I could use a nap myself honestly since I woke up earlier than expected..."
"Mm? But...the food...and the shinto shrine"
"Hmm? Oh don't worry about that. You are more important right now...besides we can always go later and I could use a good nap with how drowsy I get on painkillers."
Amber eyes blink up at him a moment before they droop close. Next thing Kyojuro hears is Akaza's soft snoring as he shifted his grip to carry him bridal style. The food could wait for right now. Right now he just wanted to spend a nice time cuddling Akaza in their bed since they spent the night apart on such a big holiday.
Akaza didn't wake up as he was settled on their futon. Kyojuro yawned as he stretched his arms over his head and changed into a fresh pair of pajamas. After sleeping in his work clothes this felt much better. He slowly crawled under the covers, releasing a soft groan of relief when he's nice and warm. Slowly he slipped an arm around Akaza's waist as he was dead to the world around him.
A loving smile formed on Kyojuro's face as he watched his boyfriend drool on to the pillow, and give a particularly loud snore that made him gush more over the pink haired man. He leaned down and kissed his forehead before he slowly shifted to get comfortable as the sunlight softly started to pour in from the dawn starting to rise.
The, is Kyojuro's opinion was one of the best holidays he ever got to experience: Getting delicious food, being greeted by friends, students and family. Then finally getting to be with someone he loved more than anything in the world.
Content, he nodded off back into the world of sleep as the New year gets off to a good start.