Seeing eachother after a long time
Asahi eyed the stark white door to his apartment. The keys stood hot in his hand, but he couldn’t seem to unlock the door. Maybe he was worried that his houseplants had died, or even that his apartment had gotten a leak and now the wooden floor was rotting. No, that wasn’t it, because his houseplants were fake, and his water was turned off before he left.
What the former ace truly feared wasn’t anything that could be fixed with money. It wasn’t as simple as a plant dying, and it couldn’t be solved by his landlord. Asahi knew, in his heart, that this apartment wasn’t the one he left. It was a pale ghost, and to step inside might very well be the last push into shattering his broken heart.
Asahi took the last of his courage, pushing the key into the lock and turning. When he pushed the door open, it was just as he expected. The picture frames that had once shown the happiest moments of Asahi’s life had been taken down and placed neatly on the coffee table. The hideous orange blanket that used to sit on the couch was missing, and along with it the person Asahi truly loved.
He left his suitcase at the door, wanting more than anything to lie down. The sick masochist inside of him refused this notion and convinced him to drag his feet to the kitchen. There he remembered the nights he stayed up baking cookies and other sweets for his beloved, the only payment being the smile on their face. He made his way over to the fridge and opened it. He eyed the empty shelves, his heart tugging as he remembered how it was once filled with their favorite snacks. There Asahi bit his lip to keep it from quivering as he moved away from the fridge.
He had only been gone for seven months. His team had multiple showcases across the world, and he had to be there. As the main designer it was Asahi’s responsibility. But he would give up everything to have things normal again. His phone buzzed, pulling him out of his head. The phone lit up showing a notification from Subway Surfers. Asahi suddenly wished he did not look at all.
You see, the thing about breakups is, you have a hard time getting rid of the memories. Asahi knew this too well, because his lock screen was still his ex. They were smiling while holding up a snarling Pomeranian. Tear’s pricked Asahi’s eyes as he remembered the night they broke up.
Asahi turned his phone off airplane mode the minute he exited the flight. The notifications started popping up, and he smiled when he saw that he had one missed call from his partner. The former ace immediately called him back.
“Hi sweetheart!” Asahi said excitedly, “We’ve landed now. The car will be picking us up in ten minutes and then I’m off to Paris.” He was beaming, happy to be able to talk to them after hours of no communication.
Asahi was going to speak some more before getting cut off, “Asahi I want to break up.” It was blunt, rough and everything else that represented the one he loved. There was no aggression in their voice, nothing to signal their emotions, which cut Asahi deeper than the words.
“What?” Asahi stuttered out, “Why? Did I do something wrong?”
The line was quiet for a moment, before Kyotani’s gruff voice flowed out of the phone, “No Asahi, you haven’t. I just cannot stand being away from you. I don’t want to stay up all night worrying if your plane has gone down. I don’t want you wasting your time, making sure I’m okay while you’re supposed to be seeing the world.”
“Kyo listen- “Asahi was cut off. “No Asahi. I love you too much to let you waste your time. I will be moved out before you get back. This- this is my goodbye… I love you.” Asahi went to respond, but the call ended. Every time he tried calling back, it went to dial tone.
Asahi sat there defeated. Kyotani seemed fine with the trip, even encouraged Asahi. But feelings can change… and theirs changed before Asahi could say goodbye.
Asahi wiped away the tears that fell. If he went to sleep it could ease the pain, at least, that’s what he kept telling himself. Making his way to his bedroom, he didn’t bother turning the lights on, letting the light from the full moon guide show him the way. As he got closer, he saw a lump in his bed, and his eyes ran up to the blonde head resting on his pillow. Asahi almost couldn’t believe it, Kyotani was in his bed.
He got closer, looking at their face. His face was tear streaked, and bags formed under his eyes. The sight of them tugged at Asahi’s heart, and he slowly slipped into the bed. He threw his arm around his partner, relaxing into the bed. He forgot how good it felt to sleep next to the person you love.
When Asahi woke up, Kyotani was still sleeping. The sun shone through, highlighting their sharp features. Asahi knew they needed to wake up soon. He bought his hand up to Kyotani’s cheek, cupping it. He leaned in pressing his lips to their nose. He pulled away and stroked Kyotani’s cheek, trying to wake him up peacefully. They started to shift, before opening their honey brown eyes. A calm washed over the designer, a new found confidence entering his veins. Everything Asahi couldn’t say on that phone call, he now could. He wasn’t going to go unheard.
“Good morning Honey,” Asahi whispered, adoration in his eyes. “I missed you…”
Kyotani became alert, eyes widening. “Asahi,” He said quickly, “I can- “
Asahi cut him off, “I love you.” He said, leaning in. “You may think you’re wasting my time Kyo, but you’re wrong. You inspire me every day to be better, and I am a better person because of it. I don’t want to live this life without you, so please… never say goodbye again.”
Kyotani frowned, grabbing Asahi’s wrist. “I- “For the first time in his life he was speechless. They wanted to be with Asahi, they really do. But every time he leaves Kyotani fears the worst. Their heart pounds, and they want nothing more than to call Asahi home. But he also doesn’t want to hold his boyfriend back. Asahi should go and see the world, not worry that his partner is upset with him going on a business trip.
Asahi took his silence as a chance to kiss him, pressing his warm lips to Kyotani’s chapped ones. After so many months apart, Asahi couldn’t have been happier to kiss them. He pulled away, looking into their eyes. “Is this okay? Can I continue to kiss you?” Asahi asked. Kyotani nodded, so Asahi pressed his lips to theirs again. He took it slow, wanting to cherish the way their mouth fitted against his. Asahi’s other hand went to his partners waist, pulling their body against his. “I love you so much Kyotani,” his pressed a firm kiss to their lips before pulling away, “Marry me.”
“What?” Kyotani says, shooting up. “Marry you? You’re kidding right?”
Asahi sat up, “I want to marry you. Please Kyotani, I love you so much. Even if I am away, I cannot stop thinking of you. I even considered having a body pillow made because I missed you- “He was cut off with a loud laugh.
“A body pillow? Asahi you’re kidding right?” Kyotani leans in and presses his lips to Asahi’s, “Well I can’t just deny my number one fans marriage proposal. So yes, Asahi, I will marry you.” Kyotani smiled ear to ear, his loving gaze piercing right through Asahi’s soul.
Kyotani rolled out of the bed suddenly, stretching in the sunlight. “My stuff isn’t going to move back in by itself is it?” He asked, holding his hand out for Asahi to grab. “We also need chicken, so chop chop. Just because I love you doesn’t mean you get to laze around.” Asahi pulled himself out of bed, holding Kyotani in his arms.
As they stood in the sunlight, holding each other, Asahi knew they’d okay. Nothing could ruin this moment, it was perfect in every way. Or that’s what he thought.
“Asahi, gay marriage is illegal.”