Shuichi walked into work and sat down.
"Hey Shu, what's wrong?"
"I think something might be wrong with Yuki."
"Really why?"
"Well ever since he's come home he's been different."
"Different how?"
"Well my bed has always been the couch. But since his return from the hospital he's wanted me to share his bed. Then he told me that I can even call him by his first name!"
"Uh, that's good isn't it?"
"It's just a bit strange though Hiro. It's like he's someone else! He's even been fairly nice to me! A lot more than he ever has been."
"Well maybe it has something to do with his accident. I mean he was in a coma for 12 weeks. Maybe that somehow changed him."
"Mmm…yeah maybe."
"Instead of complaining about it you should enjoy it! Or would you rather he have come out worse? Or not remembered you at all like the doctors first predicted."
Shu sighed, "Yeah, I guess you're right Hiro. The doctors also said when he first announced the coma he might not make it at all. So you're right! I just have to adjust to the new Yuki!
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Eiri got a call from Mizuki and went to meet her for lunch. Eiri still couldn't believe he'd been in a coma for 2 months, he could only imagine what that must have been like for Shu. Looking at the calendar he realized he'd missed the boy's birthday. He felt he should make up for it. He's already started changing aspects of what his life was like to more like it was in the other world a little. He started by allowing the boy to sleep in the bed with him rather than the couch and allowing him to shower with him after sex. Though it was still taking Shu time to adjust as he could see the weary looks on his face when he suggests things like they shower together. He could understand the boy's apprehension, the few times in the past that he dared show a more softer side he'd turn right around and be colder than before. But he was determined not to do that this time. How he wished he could wrap the boy up into his arms and do all that romantic stuff the boy often complained about and finally tell the little brat that he loved him! But his pride and his past forbidden him from doing so, though Shu was helping him, whether he knew it or not, to let go of his past little by little. However he would never be the sappy romantic love sick puppy Shu wanted him to be! Maybe, just maybe someday he might be able to tell the boy how he feels but he didn't foresee it in the near future. He hoped his actions could express where words failed him.
Mizuki harped how he should make a mini book or do something to take advantage of the current hype surrounding his coming out of the coma. Not mentioning his dream world he promised her he had an idea for a mini-story and would try to make and email her the outline for it within the next day or two. He gave her the general idea which was basically like he did in the other world. He planned to tell all about his little adventure while at the same time not admitting anything or mentioning their names. He still couldn't explain the other world picture on his lighter and tried not to think about it.
After he left he was walking to a store to see about a birthday gift for Shu when something in the window of a jewelry store caught his eye. He knew the boy would love it. He'd considered maybe a ring but he decided he'd save that for later maybe Christmas or something this would be better to start with. Then he moved on to the grocery store and bought items for dinner and then looking at the time realized there wasn't time to make dinner and a cake before Shu got home. So he didn't like the looks of any of the grocery store cakes and instead went up the street to the bakery and bought one there.
He was still debating with himself whether or not to tell Shu about their new place. He hated telling Tohma anything but knew he'd learn eventually. So after he went to closing on his condo he went to Tohma to tell him and ask for a number for a contractor. He remembered Tohma telling him they'd done some kind of renovation to their house. He only vaguely listened to so he didn't remember any details. Tohma was surprised when he was told about the new place. But happily gave him the number of his contractor.
The only problems Eiri really had were with the home owners association. He knew that would be a problem from the start. Especially when they learned that the relationship between him and Shu wasn't a just a publicity stunt and that he'd be moving in. They were concerned about the press and everything. Though Eiri slightly suspected it was more than that, but there wasn't anything they could about it. They couldn't have prevented him from buying the place, even if they'd known in advance. The only problems he did have, was getting his contractor in to paint and make the shelves. Unlike in the otherworld this condo was just remolded so there wasn't anything that needed to be done other than paint and get shelves installed into the rooms. Beyond that the condo was perfect the way it was.
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Shu got home and was happy to smell dinner. "Yuki I'm home!" Then he walked into the kitchen, "That looks so good!"
"Sit down, it's time to eat."
Shu was about to ask about plates and drinks when he turned and found it was already set up. But what he really noticed was that it was set up much like he'd done for Eiri's birthday. "Um, Yuki what's the occasion?" As far as he knew there wasn't anything special about today. It wasn't their anniversary of any kind.
"I said sit down and you'll learn soon enough."
Shu frowned but did as he was told. After dinner was served and it was clear Eiri still wasn't going to tell him he decided for the moment to shrug it off and tell Eiri about his day.
Once the dinner dishes were cleared away and by Eiri for which Shuichi was again stunned. Eiri brought out the cake that Eiri had written on there 'Happy Birthday'
Shu was speechless for a moment, "Yuki, I don't understand."
"I missed your birthday I'm making up for it. Why you don't like it?"
"What, oh no! I'm just a bit surprised is all."
Eiri cut the cake and put a single candle on Shu's piece and lit it. "Make a wish."
Shu wasn't real sure what to wish for. He was already getting more out of Eiri than he'd ever have dreamed of. But thought hard and made a wish. After the cake was finished Eiri slid over his present. Eiri hoped the boy wasn't expecting him to sing Happy Birthday to him as that wasn't going to happen.
Shu was excited he couldn't imagine what it was. It was too big to be a ring. He opened it and was shocked at what he saw. "Yuki." It was a heart with a key hole in it and a key next to it. The heart had 3 diamond chips on each side. On the back was an inscription. "Forever mine, Eiri."
"Eiri! This is so sweet!"
Eiri was a bit surprised as it was one of the few times Shu ever used his first name. Shu walked over and put the key around Eiri's neck.
"What are doing brat?"
"Well the heart says I'm forever yours. So I'm giving you the key to prove that you have the key to my heart!"
"Happy late Birthday Brat."
"Oh Yuki!" Shu kissed him and soon it led them to the bedroom. Eiri decided he would wait till their new place was ready to go and just surprise Shu with it later.