Ritsuka couldn't have been more relieved when he finally made it to the moderately sized home that he now shared with the tall blonde. He was happy to make his way up to the door and make his way inside.
"Soubi? I'm home! You here?" Ritsuka called as he set his things inside and shut the door.
Upon hearing no reply, Ritsuka searched all around the spacious apartment for his Sentouki. He searched through all the rooms until he finally came across a note on the kitchen counter that read.
Went to the store.
Be back soon.
Love Soubi .
Upon reading the note, Ritsuka gave a small sigh and shrug before making his way into the large living room that was cluttered with boxes and bags, all properly labeled by their contents. He looked at all the boxes stacked atop each other and quickly became lost in his thoughts. It had been about two months since he had moved into Soubi's apartment and he still hadn't unpacked all of his things. He didn't really have a decent reason as to why he was putting it off so long and after looking at the mess once more, he finally decided that he ran out of excuses and he might as well finish unpacking the last of the boxes now. He made his way over to the first box in sight, marked 'Misc.', and leaned down to open it. He examined its contents, and on the very top of the pile of objects was a picture of him and his mother. It was an old picture, from when he was about ten or eleven. Even though this picture was from a time he couldn't remember, the sight still brought forth strong emotions and memories in the small boy. He picked up the picture and stared at it for a moment before becoming lost in the memory of the last time he saw his mother. The memory came flooding back in great detail: He was sitting at her bedside, holding her hand gently in his. The room was calm silent until her weak voice called out him. She told him that she didn't want to leave until she said goodbye to "her Ritsuka". She told him how much she loved him and how much she missed him. He could never forget that feeling of being only a ghost to her and the pain of her final moments, calling out to a Ritsuka that would never come. Ritsuka had become so lost in his memories that he didn't notice the silent tears running down his cheeks. He then let the memory fade away the same way that he had happened: with a few faint fading breaths.
As Ritsuka became aware of the tears he was shedding, his sadness was consumed by rage as other memories flooded back to him. He remembered all the horrible things his mother had said and done to him. He then silently wiped the tears from his eyes and slowly got up from his place on the floor and made his way into the kitchen and took one last look at the photo before throwing it firmly into the trash.
Ritsuka then went back to his place in the living room and took a deep breath of relief. He was glad she was gone. After all, if she hadn't died then he would have never moved in with Soubi. And Ritsuka actually, really loved living with Soubi. Soubi always cleaned, and cooked for him, anything Ritsuka could ever want or need, Soubi would give to him. And yet, despite everything Soubi did for him, Ritsuka could never say those three little words that Soubi longed to hear from his partner's lips. Ritsuka felt so horrible whenever Soubi told him that he loved him. Ritsuka always tried so hard to say it back but he never could. He hadn't been able to say it since…the last time he said it to Seimei.
Ritsuka had just finished shelving the last of his books form the boxes when Soubi walked in the front door with grocery bags in his arms. Upon seeing the blonde struggle slightly with all the bags, Ritsuka quickly leapt to his feet to meet him.
"Oh I'll help you Soubi"
"Thank you Ritsuka" Soubi replied to his young lover.
Ritsuka grabbed a few of the bags from Soubi's arms and followed him into the kitchen. As soon as Ritsuka set the bags down on the counter he began to take out the items and put them away where they belonged. While Ritsuka was going through the bags he noticed that Soubi had bought some rather pricey and interesting foods, confusing him slightly.
"Hey Soubi. What's with all the expensive food?" Ritsuka asked form across the Kitchen.
"Don't worry Ritsuka, you will find out soon enough," Soubi said with a smirk on his face.
Ritsuka just gave Soubi a questioning look and went back to placing all the objects in their appropriate places. As soon as all of the groceries were put away Soubi tied on an apron and began removing pots and pans from the cabinets.
"Ritsuka, please go into the living room. I don't want you to get in the way." Soubi said without even turning to face the small boy.
"Get in the way of what Soubi?" Ritsuka questioned.
"Patience, my love, patience" Soubi said rather seductively to his companion.
Blushing wildly Ritsuka went into the living room and plopped down on the soft couch. Ritsuka was trying desperately to figure out why Soubi was acting so weird. Then Ritsuka glanced over at the calendar hanging on the wall, and he realized what day it was. Then he figured it out. Today was their "anniversary". It had been 4 years today since he had met, and secretly fallen in love with Soubi. Ritsuka then quickly grew nervous as he thought of what the blonde could possibly be up to.