Hijikata sighed as he grabbed a book from the top shelf of the closet before sitting on the bed. A small smile crossed his face as he ran his fingers over the faded letters that made up their names. Opening the book he saw the first picture, it had been taken many years earlier, back when they were both still boys, and yet he remembered that day like it had just happened.
It was from the day that he first met the younger male. The boy who was no more than 6 hid behind the elder man. Peeking out at the other curiously. It was the last time he remembered him being so shy.
Flipping the pages he felt as if those childhood years had happened in the blink of an eye. The next one was taken just after they had both finished college. It was their wedding day, and although it was a happy picture, seeing the third figured standing with them made him frown.
"Kondo-san…" He said sadly, it was the last picture of the three of them together as the man had died only a couple months after it was taken.
He flipped the page again and smiled slightly at the next picture, there were 3 beautiful children with them, they all seemed so happy, but he soon felt the sadness again as he noticed that the page had been folded over. Sighing slightly he unfolded it to see a fourth child, he had died while he was still a boy, not even havings chance to grow up.
Hijikata wiped a tear from his eye before flipping it some more. The remaining pictures were of their kids growing up, and leaving home, one by one. When the youngest moved out Soji wanted to give another the same chance at having a family but he soon got sick and they were no longer able too.
Feeling the blanket rustling beside him the male closed the book and turned around to see that they other had woken up. He gave him a soft smile while taking in his features. His eyes had become sunken as the playfulness had faded from them in the recent months.
The younger man asked for some tea and Hijikata nodded before heading downstairs, returning to the room moments later. Upon seeing the others still form he knew in his heart that something was wrong and didn't even notice he dropped the tea while checking his lover for a pulse. He felt the tears in his eyes as he fell to his knees.
The male had been removed later that day and Hijikata couldn't bring himself to return to the room, or even go upstairs. His mind registered what people were telling him but he barely acknowledged that they were there.
The next couple years dragged on and nothing much changed, the room still remain the way it was left as he slept in the spare bedroom.
One night he went to bed and looked over at the picture he kept beside his bed, he felt more tired and worn out than usual but still managed to smile for the first time in what seemed like forever.
"I'll meet you again soon my love… Just wait for me a little longer." He said quietly.
On that day, the anniversary of the first time they met would also be the day when the two men would be reunited after being apart for so long.
Not long after Hijikata fell asleep his life began fading and his heart stopped as he went to be with his lover.