"Seiichi-san! I'm home!" Yuuta announced.
He took off his shoes at the doorway and then entered his home. He peeked into the kitchen and furrowed his eyebrows when he noticed Yukimura wasn't inside.
"Seiichi-san!"
"I'm in here!" came Yukimura's muffled voice.
Yuuta entered the study room where Yukimura was standing in front of a blank canvas. He had a distinct frown on his face while staring at the blank white canvas.
"Is something wrong?" Yuuta asked.
"I can't figure out what to paint for my exam" Yukimura replied.
"I'm sure the inspiration will come to you soon. We have to get ready for Atobe-san's party tonight. I'm going to take a bath" Yuuta said.
"Hmm, yeah" Yukimura turned away from the canvas and pulled off his paint stained apron.
Yuuta relaxed in the bath and then heard the door open.
"I need to fix my hair for the party. He absolutely hates it when I turn up with a messy ponytail" Yukimura said.
"The hairgel is in the cupboard, second shelf" Yuuta yawned and then began scrubbing his hair.
"Where did I put my straighteners?" Yukimura asked.
"Bottom shelf under the sink. Wait, you're going to straighten your hair? You haven't done that since last year" Yuuta sat up in the bath.
"Well, I can't just go there in a curly mess. I'm hoping to get some contacts for my work anyway so I'd rather make a good impression" Yukimura replied.
"Don't forget the conditioner and hairspray on the top shelf near the shampoo" Yuuta sank down into the bath again.
"What would I do without you, Yuuta?"
"Never come out of the study" Yuuta replied.
"I wonder why Atobe's called for this little party. He knows Genichirou hates parties but as far as I know only Atobe's closest friends have been invited" Yukimura began straightening his hair.
"How do girls do that to their hair all the time? Don't you have to get up really early for that?" Yuuta asked.
"I'm not a woman, Yuuta. You can ask Chiharu if you want. These are her straighteners after all" Yukimura replied.
"I should get dressed. Where's my suit?" Yuuta stood up and wrapped a towel around himself.
"In the closet. I got it dry cleaned in time" Yukimura replied.
Yuuta made to walk past him but then bent over to peck his lover's cheek. Yukimura smiled and then set down the straighteners. He leaned over and kissed Yuuta chastely. He pulled away only for Yuuta to whine.
"Later" Yukimura said with a mischievous smile.
Yuuta sighed and then headed into their bedroom to change.
"Senpai!"
Yanagi sighed as he heard Akaya's yell. He set down his comb and then headed out of the bathroom into their bedroom.
"What happened, Akaya?" Yanagi asked.
"I was trying to tie my bow tie but my fingers got stuck instead" Akaya replied. His eyes were full of unshed tears.
"Let's get my little Aka-chan out then" Yanagi began untying the knots and then began tying the bow tie correctly.
"You look nice, senpai" Akaya blushed and Yanagi smiled.
"You look very handsome, Akaya" Akaya's blush became even more pronounced.
No matter how much he tried, Yanagi couldn't shake off Akaya's habit of calling him 'senpai'. Yanagi leaned in and soon enough they were nose to nose. Akaya breathed out and Renji closed his eyes to breathe in the sweetness that was Kirihara Akaya. Their kiss was soft and chaste, just enough to remind themselves of how much they loved each other. Yanagi's cellphone rang and they broke apart.
Yanagi talked with the person on the other end for a bit and then tucked his phone into his back pocket.
"Akaya, the taxi's here. Lets go"
Akaya nodded and slipped on his shoes. Yanagi tied his newly bought and polished shoes before heading out the door.
"I think it was nice of Atobe to invite us, don't you think?" Fuji smiled and Tezuka nodded.
"He doesn't really do private parties. I suppose being with Sanada has truly changed him" Oishi said.
"Maybe he and Sanada have something special planned" Kawamura suggested.
All three of them had received the gold embossed invitations and due to curiosity had decided to attend the party. Oishi handed their invitations at the gate and the security guard let them immediately. Kawamura parked his car outside the entrance and they got out of the car. They entered the house and were quite impressed with the environment.
"Look, all the Hyoutei regulars are here" Fuji pointed out.
"Then Eiji should be around here as well" Oishi brightened up at the prospect of meeting his old doubles partner.
"Oishi!" Oishi grinned when he felt the familiar weight around his shoulders.
"Eiji, how have you been?"
"Great. It's so awesome to see you all again, nya!" Eiji replied.
"Nice to see you again too, Eiji" Fuji said with a smile.
"Where's your secret boyfriend you refuse to tell anyone about?" Oishi asked.
"He'll be here soon" Eiji replied with a slight blush.
The doors opened and in walked Yukimura and Yuuta. They walked in hand in hand and were immediately accosted by Niou and Yagyuu who had also been invited.
"Where is the guest of honour by the way?" Kawamura asked.
"Atobe and Sanada will show up soon" Oshitari Yuushi replied as he passed them.
Tezuka coughed uncomfortably. He hadn't seen Sanada in two years at the very least and by now he was already competing with Echizen for Grand Slams. Speaking of Echizen, he was currently arm in arm with Momoshiro who was animatedly talking to Inui and Kaidoh. Echizen had grown extremely tall falling short only to Sanada himself.
"Oishi, this is the guy I've been telling you about" Eiji said.
"You didn't need to pull me so hard, Eiji"
Oishi gaped at Shiraishi. Eiji apologised hurriedly only to be rewarded by a small kiss to the nose.
"Well, this is a surprise" Oishi commented.
"Kura is awesome, Oishi! He even makes homemade cookies exactly like my mom" Eiji said.
"Eiji, I didn't say it was an unwelcome surprise. I hope you're taking care of him" Oishi said.
"I'm trying my best" Shiraishi said with a smile.
"Welcome, everyone to our humble home" Atobe's voice came from the small stage set on the other side of the room.
Sanada stood on the stage beside Atobe looking thoroughly disgruntled. He scanned the entire room with his amber eyes and he smiled when he spotted Yukimura and Yanagi hand in hand with their significant others.
"You are probably wondering why I have called all of my closest friends here today. My lover himself is confused as to why I have gathered all of you" Atobe continued.
Yuuta looked around and spotted Ootori and Shishido near a pair of curtains. Both had a rope in their hands and they tugged hard to reveal a full blown orchestra. Both of them held hands and melted into the crowd of guests.
"This party is for my lover Sanada Genichirou" Atobe said. Sanada turned to him in shock.
Yukimura's hand tightened around Yuuta's. Was Atobe planning to...
"Genichirou, you have been an integral part of my life and my heart for a very long time. I've loved you since the first year of middle school when I first saw you. Your determination and strength pulled me to you like a magnet. You have shown me so many different sides of you since we decided to be together and cherish all of them. That's why today on this very stage..."
Atobe pulled out a box and bent down on one knee. Akaya whooped almost making the box fall out of Atobe's hand. Atobe opened the box to reveal two rings.
"Will you marry me, Genichirou?"
Sanada's mouth had fallen open. He stared at Atobe for a full minute before closing his eyes and nodding.
"Yes. I will" Sanada announced.
The entire room burst into applause Atobe stood and placed the ring on Sanada's ring finger. The simple gold hand shone in the spotlight and Sanada pulled out the matching silver ring and placed it on Atobe's ring finger. The orchestra began to play a romantic song for Atobe and Sanada to have their first dance as an engaged couple.
Yuuta took Yukimura into his arms and both began swaying to the music. Upon closer look, Yuuta realised that Yukimura was crying.
"I'm just so happy for them" Yukimura sniffed and Yuuta chuckled.
Somewhere close by, Akaya himself was in tears from the proposal. Yanagi rolled his eyes before wiping his lover's tears away with his hands. He pulled Akaya closer and both swayed slowly to the music. He spotted Oshitari Yuushi and smiled. Yuushi nodded and lifted a champagne glass in greeting.
Atobe sighed happily as he felt Sanada's muscled arms tighten around him. He leaned his head against Sanada's broad chest and then noticed that Tezuka was staring at both of them. Atobe didn't stiffen but simply smiled and Tezuka nodded at him. The former Seigaku captain was soon dragged onto the dance floor by Fuji himself.
"Yaaaagyuuu"
Yagyuu stiffened when he heard the familiar drawl. He turned and nodded to Niou who had a mischievous smile on his face.
"What is it, Niou-kun?"
"Wanna dance?"
Yagyuu glanced over at him and noticed that Niou was actually nervous for a change.
"For old times sake?" Niou held out his hand. Yagyuu nodded and let Niou drag him out.
"Everyone's happy today" Yuuta commented.
"Are you happy?" Yukimura asked.
"If you're around me, then I'm always happy" Yuuta replied and then blushed when Yukimura pressed a kiss against his nose.
"It's incredibly romantic, don't you think? I would love to get married and have a family" Yukimura commented.
"I don't really think much about marriage. I mean, my parents marriage wasn't exactly spectacular to begin with. I would love to have a family" Yuuta said.
"We don't really need a little certificate to show that we're eternally bonded. Sanada has high familial values which is probably why Atobe proposed before they started a family" Yukimura said.
"I'm happy just the way we are. No need to speed it up" Yuuta said.
Yukimura smiled and then kissed the top of his lover's head.
"I love you, Yuuta"
"Love you too" came the immediate reply.
You had to know this was coming...