Day seven - my inspiration
"There's my family, and my friends. But it's you, seeing you smile like that and hearing your laugh and you being there is what gets me through when it's tough."
Things weren't always easy for Makoto and Seijuurou, by far. Of course money wasn't going to start showing up out of nowhere when Seijuurou was on the way to his career and Makoto still had awhile before getting a decent income with still having classes to take. Thankfully Seijuurou decided to move in with Makoto and they only had to deal with a single set of bills to pay but they still struggled to get by, pinching pennies and cutting their budgets to make sure that they still had enough to afford groceries on top of rent and swimming supplies for Seijuurou and some tuition and textbooks for Makoto. Both their parents respectively wanted to send them money to help out because after all, trying to juggle a part-time job during an already hectic college schedule in Tokyo was hard enough and they just wanted to make sure that their sons weren't malnourished or stressing out too much. But they reassured them that everything was fine, and that it was all fine and just a hands-on experience with adult responsibilities.
Of course with their struggles, there were sure to be bad days mixed in with the good as they carried out their packed daily lives, Makoto sometimes feeling as if when he got his degree he wouldn't be able to get a good enough job and would have to keep the part timing while Seijuurou was having anxious thoughts about if he would even make the national team and be able to carry out swimming for his career. But, Seijuurou was Makoto's rock and Makoto was Seijuurou's, and that was enough for them to get by even with the building stress of schoolwork, jobs, and what their future would be like. Seijuurou would notice on particular nights when Makoto was surrounded by books and in his work clothes, teeth biting at his bottom lip constantly, the redhead would take action to make Makoto's favorite tea, settle behind him, and give Makoto a scalp massage when he forced the brunette to take a break for just a little while. And when Seijuurou would have sleepless nights, staying up and worrying about the future, his and Makoto's, Makoto would curl up right beside him, fingers trailing across his chest and would talk about things to get Seijuurou's mind off of what it was currently on until they both fell asleep.
"Makoto?" Seijuurou was toweling his hair dry and watching Makoto wash dishes.
"Yeah?"
"Are you...happy?"
Golden eyes saw Makoto's arms stop moving, hands still in the lukewarm soapy water and was silent. Seijuurou swallowed the lump in his throat and somewhat regretted what he asked until Makoto took his hands out to dry on the towel, turning to his left to show Seijuurou he was smiling and eyes completely filled with honesty.
"...Yeah. Yeah I am. Because you're here."
Every day, they took care of each other. Making sure that they got up on time and were fed, got to school, work, and practice on time, and then at the end of the day to collapse in bed exhausted and minds filled with the promise that one day their routines won't be as physically and mentally taxing.
"Someday you won't have to worry about so much..." Makoto closed his eyes as Seijuurou ran fingers through his hair and Seijuurou continued to speak, both his voice and heartbeat making Makoto relax. "You work so hard every day so we can get by and someday I'll get on that team and get sponsors and then the first thing I'm gonna do with that first check is get you something that I've been wanting to get you for awhile."
Though it took slightly longer than expected Seijuurou had showed up to Makoto's workplace wearing the Japan swim team jacket and smile wide on his face and eyes wet and red. He walked right up to the counter and ordered coffee for himself and Makoto and the brunette couldn't even speak aside from quietly excusing himself to take his break and pulling Seijuurou in for the biggest hug. And Seijuurou was one to keep promises once he did get that first check.
You, me, tonight at your favorite restaurant!
PS, pretty sure there's absolutely no chance of me being able to look as nice as you're gonna look tonight so should I just not even attempt to look all handsome for you?
Makoto didn't have to lift a single finger that evening; by the time he arrived Seijuurou already had a table and their meals already ordered, his and Makoto's respective favorites and something that they surely hadn't had in quite some time. He had even ordered the chocolate cake for dessert and extras to take home, but what Makoto didn't know as they headed back to their apartment there was still something that Seijuurou was up to.
"Did you have a good time?" Seijuurou asked and shut the door behind him. Makoto was already taking off his jacket and loosening his tie, setting the styrofoam container of cake on the small table and he hummed in response.
"I really did! It's been a long time since we went out like that..." He turned around to see Seijuurou still standing near the door and only had taken his shoes off, hand over his jacket pocket. "...Sei?"
"...Mako." Seijuurou started and sighed. "You...are really something else."
"Seijuurou, what-"
"Since we started...this, us, I've been amazed every single day. You're just...strong, and so smart, and I'm sure that if I didn't have you around now I wouldn't be doing well at all. You're the one who makes sure that the bills are paid and reminds me if we're running low on something and every day, when I walk through that door, you ask me how my day was even though I know you're stressed and tired and minutes from collapsing in bed and wanting to cry because you feel so...overwhelmed. I know that, Mako." He took a step forward to Makoto. "You do so much for me, and for you, without even asking for anything and I want to continue to do my best for you, to make you happy and proud and be by your side the minute you get that dream job of yours and can quit the part time one that makes you want to tear your hair out. Your happiness is way more important than anything else and I'm...just happy knowing that I make you feel that way."
Makoto remained in place, blinking at Seijuurou, only able to watch as his heart leapt into his throat and was now blinking tears away when the redhead slowly got on the floor and had a small dark purple box cradled in his hands.
"S-Sei..."
"You've been making my days...so much better since you came into my life. At first I thought you were just a really great swimmer and a nice captain and now you're the most important person to me and have been for such a long time and now I can't imagine being without you. You inspire me in so many ways, to have someone as amazing as you at my side as we get through more things together, and I wish that I was as as great as you. I would be an absolute mess without you, Makoto."
"Y-You are wonderful, Seijuurou, I..." Makoto's throat closed with a wet hiccup, hands starting to shake. "Every time that I wake up and go to bed, y-you're right there and I'm reminded about all the things I love you for-"
"Makoto."
Seijuurou opened the small box and immediately the tears from Makoto's eyes finally fell.
"Makoto Tachibana, my love, my big orca that I can barely go a single day without, my inspiration...marry me?"
He nodded, several times, unable to stop as his hands went to wipe at his face and tried to speak. "Y-Yes, of course!" Makoto's voice cracked at the last word, hearing Seijuurou get up from the floor and the next thing he knew familiar and loving strong arms pull him close.
truth time I actually had no...real concrete idea for this one so if it feels that way...it's because of that, ahah. But, this is my end for seimako week and I just wanted to thank everyone who read and liked and everything else! It really really means a lot, more than you would know because of this tiny little ship but it's thanks to you wonderful people who enjoy it as well that gives me my own inspiration to write more with these two and that's what matters most!
