Chapter 14

Hiroki shut the front door of their home, his forehead meeting the hard surface as he slumped forward. They came home after spending half an hour at Akihiko's condo. Their visit had started out well enough. Akihiko handed Hiroki a gift bag containing rare hardcover English language editions of Hiroki's favorite Japanese classics, and Misaki had welcomed them, offering snacks and iced tea at their dining table. What began as a normal visit, spiraled downhill when Nowaki noticed one of Akihiko's Junai Romantica novels sitting on the coffee table in the living room while heading to the bathroom.

Hiroki fought the urge to snatch the novel out of Nowaki's hands before noticing that the characters on the cover resembled Akihiko and Misaki rather than themselves. The mere sight of the book should've been enough of a signal for them to leave. Takumi's young eyes and ears didn't need to be near such content. But Hiroki went against his better judgment.

Akihiko artfully used the book as a springboard for indirect questions about Nowaki and Hiroki's love life. Hiroki knew whatever details Nowaki spilled would become fodder for more of Akihiko's smut, and they'd be damned if their talk had Takumi asking his father questions at the end of the day. Hiroki was in his right mind to drag Nowaki and the boy out of Akihiko's spacious condo, and he did just that with the voluntary help of an aggravated Misaki.

Hiroki stepped out of his shoes and dragged himself into the living room to catch up with Nowaki and Takumi. The boy appeared before Hiroki, his emerald eyes glittering with an enthusiasm Hiroki hadn't previously seen on the boy.

"K-Kamijou-san, are all those books yours?" Takumi referred to the three expansive bookshelves along the far walls of the living room.

"Yes, they are," Hiroki responded with a soft smile. Luckily, many of his childhood favorites were on those shelves. "Do you like to read?"

The boy nodded, "I read all the time."

"Do you have a favorite author?" Hiroki walked ahead of Takumi, gesturing for the boy to follow him to the shelves.

"Um…not really. B-But I'll read anything if it's interesting." Takumi weaved his fingers, keeping his eyes to the floor.

Hiroki suppressed a chuckle as he sat his satchel and bag of books on the cocktail table. He couldn't remember when he'd last expressed his love for literature outside the academic realm. A vague nostalgia waved over him. Somehow it was an honor for a nervous and clever kid such as Takumi to be taking interest in his collection.

"Well, I'm sure you'll find something." Hiroki walked to the far right shelf near the curtains to the balcony and knelt before it, leading Takumi's attention to the bottom shelf. A portion of Hiroki's childhood favorites were lined there: stories of valiant samurai protecting humanity from alien invasion and coming of age stories of friendship and competition. Hiroki hadn't read these books in years.

The gleam in Takumi's emerald eyes restored as he lowered to his knees and scanned the options offered to him. Hiroki spread out a few of his recommendations on the floor for Takumi to see the covers.

"If you see a book that interests you, you're welcome to read it." Hiroki rose to his feet.

"Thank you," Takumi nodded, looking up at Hiroki with a broad smile not unlike Nowaki's. He shifted his attention back to the books, inspecting each one and reading their back covers.

Walking back to the cocktail table, a dizziness swept through Hiroki, like his mind was floating away. He glanced back at Takumi and the sensation worsened. He was growing attached to the kid for one reason or another, and it was unsettling. Hiroki was feeling and acting in a manner he hadn't thought he was capable of. He couldn't decide whether he felt embarrassed or proud of himself.

Takumi made himself comfortable by the shelf, laying on his stomach with a cushion Nowaki had provided. In just an hour, he'd gotten a quarter of the way through a novel, pausing now and then to gaze around the apartment.

By noon, Nowaki whipped up a simple lunch for the three of them, rice omelets and chicken katsu with miso soup on the side. It was the first time they filled the extra chair at their small dining table. Even though they'd hosted guests before, the two of them had never shared a meal with one until now.

Hiroki's uncertainty from earlier began clearing as the three of them ate at the table. The longer he spent in the boy's presence, the more Hiroki could feel something in him changing. It was a difficult thing to pin down, but it wasn't necessarily a negative transformation. Spending time with Takumi was a new experience. Hiroki may not have known how to handle it. He may not have completely understood what he was feeling. All he knew was that it was peaceful and rewarding. And seeing Nowaki interact with the boy only furthered the sentiment.

Shortly after the dishes were washed, Takumi fell asleep in his small reading space. The boy's cheek rested over his stacked palms planted firmly on the pages of an opened novel. Kneeling at the child's side, Hiroki gingerly pried the book from under Takumi's weight. He spread his hand under Takumi's palm to support his head as he replaced the book with a pillow from his bedroom.

Hiroki closed the hardcover and examined its spine. Seeing no damage, he flipped through the pages, noticing a few newly formed creases. Though Hiroki was annoyed by the mishandling of one of his precious possessions, he couldn't be mad at the kid.

Nowaki's palm wrapped around Hiroki's shoulder, massaging it affectionately. Hiroki turned to see his partner crouched over, offering a folded quilt in his free hand.

"In case Takumi-chan gets cold," Nowaki explained. Though it was warm outside, their air conditioner could've chilled the boy.

Hiroki took the quilt, unfolded it, and draped it up to Takumi's shoulders. After straightening his back, Hiroki felt Nowaki's warmth curl around his frame securely.

"Look at us. Just like parents," Nowaki whispered, nuzzling his face in Hiroki's hair.

"Is that really something to joke about?" Hiroki remembered seeing Nowaki interact with Takumi for the first time in the park. It was months ago, but the scene was still fresh in his mind. The natural care and affection radiating from Nowaki—the way he ruffled the boy's hair, the way he gave Takumi confidence by saying the right words in the right manner. That day, Hiroki thought of Nowaki being a father. He remembered thinking how such potential would go wasted if he and Nowaki stayed together.

A familiar sinking feeling weighed Hiroki's chest. After all he and Nowaki had been through, he shouldn't have been thinking this way. As though sensing Hiroki's declining mood, Nowaki kissed the back of Hiroki's neck, letting his lips linger there. He tightened their embrace and rested his forehead on the man's shoulder.

"Not in front of the kid," Hiroki rolled his shoulder lamely, moving out of nerves rather than an attempt to shrug his partner off.

"It's fine," Nowaki cooed, raising his lips to kiss Hiroki's jawline. "I'm sleepy."

"Then sleep…"

They never discussed the topic of parenthood. Hiroki was sure it was because they mutually understood that parenthood couldn't be accomplished in their lives. At least not the natural way. Nowaki had never mentioned wanting kids, but that could've been for Hiroki's sake.

"Nowaki…" Hiroki inhaled shortly, letting the breath out in a controlled pace. "Do you want kids?"

A long second of silence passed before Nowaki responded. "I may want to adopt someday, but it's not something I've really considered. We don't have the time to raise a child, unfortunately."

Hiroki had thought of that too. Even if they both wanted kids, given their careers, it would be impossible for them to rear a child properly.

"And to be honest," Nowaki continued. "I'm too comfortable with the way things currently are."

Hiroki's upper body loosened at Nowaki's words. While it would've been more comforting to hear Nowaki say he didn't want kids at all, this was a good compromise.

"What do you think, Hiro-san?" Nowaki murmured, voice fading out by the end of his sentence.

"I'm content as long as you're happy." And that really was the truth. If Nowaki reached a point where he wanted to adopt and felt that they could raise a child, Hiroki would support it.

Nowaki's weight shifted forward, bearing on Hiroki. "I love you," Nowaki said, the words melding into a single breath before he slipped into sleep.

-–––-

Nightfall had already cloaked the sky when the three of them prepared to leave. Takumi tugged a thick cotton sweater from his backpack, hurriedly slipping it over his head, arms easing through the sleeves. Though Nowaki told the boy it wouldn't be too cold outside, Takumi continued layering clothes, wrapping a scarf around his neck and securing a pair of fuzzy earmuffs on his head. One would think it was blistering cold outside as Nowaki helped Takumi into a thicker jacket that had also been stuffed in the boy's backpack.

On their way to the park, Takumi complained about feeling too hot as he tugged the collar of his sweater from his skin. The boy then began shedding his extra layers piece by piece. By the time they neared their destination, all of Takumi's garments were draped over Nowaki's arm. Hiroki could make no sense of the situation, but he shrugged it off.

Shinoda was waiting under a lamppost to the right of the playground when they arrived. Upon noticing them, Shinoda retrieved his briefcase which he had set on the ground and called out to them.

"How did you guys do?" Shinoda asked when they were in range of each other.

"We're all okay," Nowaki answered, handing Shinoda Takumi's discarded clothes.

Shinoda accepted them, raising a brow. "What's all this?"

"Takumi-chan was trying to avoid getting sick," Nowaki explained. "He didn't want to worry you again."

At Nowaki's comment, Takumi cowered behind Hiroki, tugging the back of the man's shirt indiscriminately. Hiroki glanced back at the boy, noticing a flushed face and tightly shut eyes.

Contrary to Shinoda's assumption, Takumi had stuffed his bag with extra clothes instead of art supplies that morning. Shinoda had fussed over Takumi carrying a loaded bag, but Takumi persuaded his father to let him, saying that it wasn't heavy. After hearing the true reason behind it all, an ecstatic smile bloomed on Shinoda's face.

"Takumi!" Shinoda returned the garments to Nowaki and placed his suitcase down again before charging in Hiroki's direction where he swiftly scooped his son into his arms, lifting him from the ground.

"Dad!" Takumi whined, his face growing redder as Shinoda grazed their cheeks together. "Stop embarrassing me…"

"Oh?" Shinoda reclined back to peer at Takumi. "It's embarrassing for your own father to hug you at night; but it's not embarrassing for Nowaki to carry you on his back in broad daylight?"

Takumi leaned back, eyes widening at his father. "How…how do you know about that?"

"I get messages on my phone. It's one of our rules. I know everything," Shinoda lowered his son back onto his feet before shifting attention to Nowaki and Hiroki. "Thank you for today." He paused for a moment, his eyes focusing on Hiroki. "Yes, you too, Kamijou."

"For what exactly?" Hiroki murmured. Even if Nowaki texted Shinoda about him sharing a part of his library with the boy, it hardly warranted thanks.

After packing Takumi's clothes, Nowaki knelt to the ground, holding Takumi's backpack by the straps, facing outward. The boy complied and turned around, putting his arms through the straps and pulling at the ends to tightened the bag on his shoulders.

"Thank you," Takumi turned with a smile on his lips, his cheeks retaining their nervous color.

"We'll see you soon," Nowaki assured, placing a hand over the side of Takumi's shoulder. "Right, Hiro-san?" He looked up at his partner standing beside him.

Hiroki chuckled and gave a nod as his eyes met Takumi's briefly. He wouldn't mind being in Takumi's company again, especially if it meant a repeat of the moments they'd shared. Just maybe, Hiroki could peak Takumi's interest in literature.

The father and son parted with Hiroki and Nowaki minutes later. They watched as the two faded into the distance, leaving them to their day as originally planned. Though their much-needed quality time had been impeded, they couldn't say they were disappointed by the turn of events. Hiroki had learned more about Nowaki's vision for their future, and a little more about himself in the process. The idea of raising a child was no longer unsightly.

Faint night songs of crickets and echoing bird calls carved into the stillness of their surroundings. They'd been to this park a handful of times throughout the years, but there was something unique about it tonight. The way the lampposts spotlighted the concrete and stretched over to illuminate the emerald gradient of the grass and foliage from the trees made for a warmer, harmonic setting.

"Let's stay for a while," Hiroki suggested. A breeze passed through, bringing with it the sound of rustling foliage.

"Do you mind if we go over there?" Nowaki pointed to the swing set in the playground. He began walking to the area without waiting for Hiroki's reply. Hiroki followed reluctantly, wondering what Nowaki was going to do, and hoping it wasn't what he thought it was.

They stepped onto the dirt surface of the playground. The lighting of the lamppost was dimmer than expected, giving everything an orangish-gold flare. To Hiroki's alarm, Nowaki descended onto one of the swings, his long legs bending to a fifty-degree angle as he took his seat. He looked ridiculous, but there was a certain charm to the scene. Nowaki's youthful aura and joyous expressions made it seem like he belonged there.

"What are you doing? You'll break it!" Hiroki scolded. It was night and the chances of people seeing them were slim, but he couldn't let Nowaki completely off the hook for such behavior no matter how amusing it was.

"I'm not going to swing on it. My legs are too long anyway." Nowaki shook the rope of the swing beside him and patted the wooden seat, inviting Hiroki to join him.

Hiroki stared at his husband, flustered for even considering the offer. He scanned their vicinity for potential witnesses as though he were about to do something illegal. Sighing in defeat, he examined the flat surface of the swing, scrutinizing whether it could support him. Though in actuality, if Nowaki could sit on the other swing just fine then he shouldn't have a problem. After a few more seconds of futile contemplation, Hiroki lowered onto the swing, clutching the ropes.

"I've been thinking about a memory," Nowaki said, gazing into the distance as he began swaying on the swing. "Remember when we were leaving my parent's place, and I mentioned the time I ran away from home?"

Hiroki nodded though he couldn't remember what Nowaki had said about it. He had been more concerned with Nowaki's emotional state in that moment to fully pay mind to what had been said.

"I was upset after discovering I was an orphan, and I left on my bike. Before I knew it, I'd gotten lost in another town and ended up at a park late at night. I met a kid who gave me life changing advice." Nowaki's swaying came to a halt as he lifted his head to the sky. "I was six or seven years old then. I was sitting on the swing and staring into the dark distance, wondering where I belonged and how I could make it on my own. Then, out of that darkness, an older kid approached me. He was probably an elementary student too," Nowaki's eyes shifted to the ground, "I don't remember his exact words, but it was something like when things get tough, don't cry, and turn it into strength."

"Ah…your hardships can only make you stronger," Hiroki added. "My father said that to me more times than I want to count," Hiroki's voice turned somewhat soft at the mention of his father. Maybe he did have positive childhood memories of him after all.

"I lived by those words ever since," Nowaki continued, his eyes filling with a sense of nostalgia and longing. "I don't remember his name or what he looked like, but I've always wondered what kind of person he grew up to be."

A delicate groan resonated from Hiroki as he tightened his lips, his eyes narrowed and wicked with jealousy at hearing Nowaki speak so fondly of someone else. "A kid that young spouting wise words like he knows everything probably grew up to be a terrible person."

Nowaki chuckled, straightening his legs and crossing them, "Do you have any childhood memories like that? Something that's stayed with you all these years?"

"Um…I guess I do," Hiroki replied, keeping his eyes to the ground. "But it's more like an image." He closed his eyes, searching for words to describe his memory. "Sometimes when I'm fatigued I'll remember it. It might be a childhood memory, but I'm not certain."

He paused and looked ahead for a moment, scanning the distance, hoping for a detail or two to present itself. "I met a kid who had a bike with a flat front wheel. I remember looking at it, thinking of how far that kid must've gone for the wheel to be worn out. I thought it was amazing that someone had the determination to push themselves to the limit. Every time I remember it, it motivates me to keep going."

"I forgot to mention that…" Nowaki froze, stopping the subtle motion of the swing. Keeping his sight ahead, his hands clutched the ropes. "The reason I stopped was because my front wheel went flat." Nowaki stood from the swing. "And you say you remember your father telling you what I remember that kid saying…" A smile broke onto his lips as he continued gazing into the distance.

The connection sent Hiroki's heart into a frenzy. The fact that their stories overlapped in such a way…No, Hiroki checked himself. There was no reason to believe that any of it was connected beyond pure coincidence. "What are you getting at?"

"Hiro-san, I think you were the kid I met that day." The words flew from his tongue without a thread of doubt. "Do you know what this means?" Nowaki knelt before Hiroki, positioning himself between his husband's legs, letting the dirt cover his knees.

"Does it have to mean anything?" Hiroki reclined back to lessen their proximity, his skin suddenly feeling hot and tender as Nowaki's azure eyes gleamed at him.

Nowaki placed his hands on Hiroki's knees. "It means without a doubt, you're the reason I've become the man I am today." He wrapped his arms around Hiroki's torso. "It means you were a shining force in my life long before I fell in love with you." Resting his head on Hiroki's shoulder, he pulled his husband in closer. "Maybe I'd already fallen in love back then…"

"Nowaki, it happened so long ago. You can't be sure. That phrase is common too. Anyone could've said it." Hiroki wanted to return Nowaki's embrace but felt that in doing so, he'd be accepting Nowaki's idea.

"I want to believe…" Nowaki clutched the back of Hiroki's shirt, his voice mellowing into a whisper, "There's no denying your affect on me. I'm a better person because of you. I hope during our marriage I can inspire you the same."

"Idiot," Hiroki muttered. "You already have."

Nowaki raised his head, locking eyes with Hiroki as the man swept his fingers along the side of Nowaki's face.

"Did I ever tell you why I decided to become a professor?" Hiroki said as a faint smile emerged on his face. "When I tutored you, you told me I was great. I was already thinking about attending graduate school, but you gave me that final push and I found myself working much harder than I ever had…" Hiroki leaned forward, closing his eyes and bringing their foreheads to touch. "It goes both ways," he whispered.

"Right," Nowaki whispered back, stroking Hiroki's hair. "Of course, it does." He lifted his chin, meeting Hiroki's lips for a kiss.

If Nowaki's assumption was true, it meant their love was a design of destiny, something inevitable and greater than themselves. But to rely on fallible memories would be foolish.

As their kiss released, Hiroki rested his hands on Nowaki's shoulders. "Get that kid out of your head," Hiroki demanded. "If there's even a slight chance that he wasn't me and you reunite with him one day, I don't want you taking interest in him. You're mine. So don't talk so fondly about other people." He was shamefully jealous, but he didn't care to hide it at this point.

"Understood. I won't speak of it again," Nowaki complied, moving in for another kiss. "Can we go home now? I don't think I can control myself much longer."

Hiroki's faint smile grew as he reveled in Nowaki's warm and glistening azure eyes. "You're hopeless."

-–––-

On the floor of Hiroki's room, a shirtless Nowaki leaned against the side of the bed with Hiroki situated on his knees, straddling him. Nowaki's pants and briefs were scrunched to his thighs, exposing his erection. Hiroki's unbuttoned shirt pooled his lower back and forearms, his hands clutching Nowaki's shoulders as the man's slicked digits worked their way inside Hiroki, massaging his pleasure area, causing his toes to curl.

With Hiroki's front inches away from his face, Nowaki placed kisses along the center of Hiroki's chest, soon trailing to the left where his tongue pushed against Hiroki's hard nipple, sucking on it through the delicate hold of his teeth. Hiroki's entrance clenched Nowaki's fingers in reaction, and Nowaki responded by adding a third, rubbing Hiroki's sweet spot with more fervor. Hiroki gasped, masking a moan as a wave of pleasure consumed him, fueling the beat of his erection.

"Nowaki," he moaned, seizing his partner's length in hand. Nowaki continued to the other nipple giving it the same service. With the work of Nowaki's fingers inside him, Hiroki's entire body trembled. "You're patient for someone who couldn't wait to get home," Hiroki commented, his husky voice barely able to conquer his frantic breath.

Nowaki released the nipple, kissing it before responding. "We didn't consummate our marriage." He moved to the center of Hiroki's chest, grazing his lips there. "So, I want to savor this moment."

Hiroki stroked Nowaki's erection, grazing his thumb over the tip. "Savor it when you're inside me…" If Hiroki hadn't felt so needy at the moment, he would've berated himself for saying something so provocative.

"Are you seducing me?" Nowaki cooed, teasing Hiroki's sweet spot again, making him twitch and moan. "Fine then," Nowaki continued, sweeping is tongue along Hiroki's collarbone. "I'll make sure you can't get up in the morning."

Hiroki shuddered at hearing those words. "I thought you were the masochist." He couldn't shake this domineering spark in Nowaki. His partner usually took the lead in bed, but rarely with such arrogance. Though Hiroki felt he should've been opposed to it, he was undeniably turned on.

Nowaki slipped his fingers out of Hiroki and finally positioned his erect member at the entrance. Hiroki hooked his arms around Nowaki's neck and sighed heavily as he took Nowaki whole in one smooth thrust. The impact sent a brief sting of pain that quickly dissolved into a cascade of pleasure, radiating tenfold through Hiroki as he adapted to his husband's raging pulse.

Hiroki wrapped his legs around Nowaki as the man lifted steadily on his knees, bracing Hiroki under the thighs. Nowaki turned and laid their weight gently on the mattress, stepping out of his briefs and jeans which had pooled to the floor. "I'm sure you'll have an amazing punishment in mind for me later," he said, giving Hiroki an alluring, half-lidded stare.

Nowaki brought his hands to Hiroki's waist, letting them sweep to Hiroki's ass cheeks before snaking to his husband's thighs, splaying them further. Nowaki pulled out halfway and eased back in at a slow burning pace, making the crude squelch of their union too apparent.

Hiroki brought his arms around Hiroki's upper back and weaved his fingers. It was almost unbearable to have a raging pressure engulf him, setting him up for something intense, only to pull out as graciously as it had come in. Biting his lip, Hiroki crossed his legs tightly around Nowaki and pushed against the man's thrusts, forcing Nowaki to enter him abruptly. Hiroki's breath hitched with the impact. Pressing his weaved fingers to his knuckles, Hiroki watched as Nowaki's seductive mien twitched into a startled one.

"You said you'd make it so I couldn't get up tomorrow," Hiroki said, focusing on Nowaki's chest. "You'll never achieve that at the pace you're going."

"Hiro-san." A blush surfaced Nowaki's face. "How can you say something so sexy with an unsexy voice?" he burst into a chuckle.

Hiroki's brows furrowed in a sour expression. "Shut up and appreciate it," he snarled, slapping Nowaki's upper arm.

Nowaki gripped Hiroki's hips, lifting his partner slightly off the mattress. "Hiro-san," he murmured, pulling out entirely. Nowaki shifted Hiroki onto his knees and ran his hand along Hiroki's arched spine.

Hiroki lowered onto his forearms, jutting his ass out further to offer Nowaki better access. Nowaki leaned forward, melding to Hiroki's shape, whispering "I love you" before playfully biting the rim of his partner's ear.

Hiroki clutched the comforter, trembling as Nowaki's hands swept from his underarms down to the shape of his hips, reaching below to stroke his leaking erection, thumb grazing his tip before moving to the hilt and back again. Nowaki's tip slipped into Hiroki slow at first, then slammed in. The sudden jerk reduced Hiroki to a melting, crying mess as Nowaki appeased Hiroki with quicker thrusts, entangling him in a hot chaotic dose of pleasure.

Supporting his weight with an extended arm, Nowaki's free hand returned to tweak Hiroki's hardened nipple as he nuzzled his nose at the side of Hiroki's hair. Nowaki's heavy breathing near Hiroki's ear could hardly mask the string of helpless moans Hiroki was emitting. Just as Hiroki was on the verge of peaking, Nowaki convulsed, pressing in further and bursting inside him. Hiroki's own release shot forth almost simultaneously, followed by another seconds later.

Nowaki carded his fingers through Hiroki's hair, kissing the side of his neck as they lowered onto the mattress.

"I love you too…" Hiroki whispered, loosening his grip on the sheets. Turning over, his lips were captured in another kiss.

-–––-

Just before dawn, Hiroki was already up and fixing breakfast. He had difficulty falling back to sleep after being woken by Nowaki's suffocating bear hug. After a minute of squirming he had managed to wiggle his way out, but not without exerting an enormous amount of energy. Hiroki spent two hours grading papers before changing into his day clothes to make breakfast. Though Nowaki had the day off, Hiroki thought of it as a usual weekend. Nowaki would likely be called for a shift, and with the mountain of work Hiroki had to do to compensate for yesterday's events, he couldn't afford to devote much time away from it.

He turned off the pot of boiling miso and flipped the salmon on the pan with a pair of tongs. It had been a while since they'd eaten a traditional breakfast together, so Hiroki decided to recreate a meal Nowaki had made for him last time, what he remembered of it anyway. As Hiroki retrieved a set of rice bowls from the cabinet above, Nowaki emerged from the bedroom, shirtless and donning a pair of sweatpants with loosened drawstrings.

Good morning," Nowaki's said with his usual bright demeanor, his eyes half shut as he emitted a yawn.

Hiroki transferred the salmon onto a plate and glanced at his husband. Nowaki was rubbing his eyes but managed to pass him a smile.

"If you're still tired go back to bed," Hiroki insisted as Nowaki slogged into the kitchen.

"I'm fine," Nowaki said as he hugged Hiroki gingerly from behind. He chuckled, resting his chin on Hiroki's shoulder. "I can't believe you're wearing it again."

Hiroki took a long breath and continued focusing on their breakfast. He was wearing Nowaki's favorite pink frilly apron—only this time, he was wearing it on purpose. It was his own indirect gift for the good sex they'd had last night. "Think of it as a bonus," he responded calmly, keeping his shame in check.

"You mean for last night? But I failed. You were still able to get up," Nowaki sighed as if disappointed by the results of his efforts. It almost sounded like he'd wanted to break Hiroki.

Setting the tongs on the counter, Hiroki's lips turned up in a subtle smirk. "What kind of doctor are you?"

"The loving kind." Nowaki's hand covered Hiroki's resting on the counter, grazing his fingers over Hiroki's ring.

With a flushed face, Hiroki's eyes wondered to their touching hands. Nowaki was wearing his ring too. "I'm sore all over. Isn't that good enough?" He hadn't planned to tell Nowaki about the discomfort in his lower body, he'd even managed to ignore it until now.

Dismissing the comment, Nowaki brought a curled index to Hiroki's jaw, propping Hiroki's chin up for a kiss. "Thank you for making breakfast, Hiro-san," he cooed, easing their lips together.

For a moment, Hiroki forgot about breakfast, forgot about work altogether. Turning into Nowaki's bare chest, he nuzzled his forehead at the side of Nowaki's neck.

"It's like we're truly a married couple now," Nowaki commented, kneading Hiroki's shoulders.

In truth, they'd been like a married couple since the day they'd moved in together. Living together and barely seeing each other was a reality for many married couples. It's said that after a certain point spouses drift apart and all love and passion—if either had existed—dissolved with time. For years, Hiroki and Nowaki were two spirits at opposite ends, desperately trying to meet halfway, out of the same love and passion. And now, though moments like the present would continue to be rare, their hearts were in sync.

As Hiroki lifted from Nowaki's shoulder, his forehead was graced with a kiss. Somehow they'd trapped themselves in a cycle of nourishment. As they grew individually, their love would strengthen, and in return that strengthened love would keep them growing. Like roots extending into the earth, like branches reaching the sky, there was no limit to their bond in blossom.

End

That was the FINAL CHAPTER! I can't believe it myself. I've worked on this story for years. After so many struggles and setbacks that prevented me from continuing the story, it is finally finished! I may continue micro editing before I post this story on other sites, but other than that I am done!

Reviews are always welcome and appreciated. I'm serious about improving my writing and it's been a ghost town here! If you have any thoughts on the story (positive or negative) and wouldn't mind sharing with me, please do so.

Thanks to everyone who's been following/reading this story!