A/N: Happy birthday to Makoto! I'm happy that it's this particular chapter that is coming out on his birthday, because it only feels right that way; this chapter is one that I've been looking forward to writing for actual years now, and I'm so glad to finally be able to share it with you.
Therefore, I really hope you'll enjoy it! :)
Early on Tuesday morning, Haruka embarked on a quest.
With Sousuke trailing closely behind him, he strode through the main street, mind set to his destination. Cooing pigeons made up the majority of the passersby, but the town was steadily waking up. The shop signs were flipped to open and the first patrons trickled in to purchase a fresh loaf of bread or to place their order at the shoemaker.
It wouldn't be long until the streets would become lively and bustling; though it hadn't even been a week since his arrival, Haruka slowly started to familiarise himself with the town's rhythm. Yesterday he had experienced firsthand what an average weekday was like, and it was a fair midpoint between the crowded markets on Saturdays and the mellow slumps of Sundays.
As promised the day prior, Makoto had taken him along while he ran his errands to give him an idea as to what his regular routine was like. His guard and he were invited over for breakfast at the Tachibana household and afterwards, Haruka got a tour of the tiny bedroom Makoto shared with his siblings.
There, Makoto gave him a pair of his old garments he had outgrown but that they were saving for his little brother; if Haruka was going to wander through town in search for some chores with him, he needed to look the part. Makoto said it was to keep his nice clothes clean and unblemished, but Haruka knew it was mostly to help him blend in with the townsfolk. Because he made it clear from the start Sousuke would not be joining them, Makoto didn't want him to stand out for his own safety. Haruka had no objections to this and gladly changed into the chosen outfit.
Though it had been years since Makoto last wore them, the garbs were too large for Haruka. The sleeves and pant-legs had to be rolled up and his waist was cinched with a belt to keep everything together, but the shirt and trousers were comfortable nonetheless. As opposed to the constricting layers of his nifty suits, Makoto's clothing felt more like sleep attire, light and airy. Breathable.
When he saw himself in the mirror, he gasped softly, overcome with a sense of relief. For the first time in his life, he looked ordinary. Like people wouldn't have their prejudices at the mere sight of him, but instead everyone got to know him for who he truly was. Like he could be part of a community not because he happened to be born in high-society, but because its members liked him for him. Like he was just another face in the crowd. In an odd way, that felt liberating.
The fact that these garbs used to belong to Makoto and were worn by him until they didn't fit anymore was a nice bonus, too.
Once they had dumped Sousuke at Matsuoka's Fitted Garments, their workday started. They helped the merchant of the travelling mercantile load up his coach for his trip to a nearby town, went to fetch groceries for several elders all around the neighbourhood, and plucked cherries at Mrs. Tamura's garden right outside of town.
At first, Makoto was convinced he should do the work alone, because these tasks were 'not suited for a prince'. Haruka had blown that off rather quickly, for it was downright ridiculous. There were no such things as tasks not suited for princes, and he couldn't just stand and watch while Makoto did all the hard work. Even if he was not used to it, even if there were things he hadn't done before, he would do his best and make sure not to slow Makoto down.
It was common knowledge that manual labour was tough and he hadn't thought he underestimated the effort and strength it required. But as the day progressed, he found it was vastly different from what he expected.
The blinding sunshine was merciless as it burned on his skin and in combination with his muscles being tested on their power and endurance, Haruka couldn't recall a time he had perspired more. He'd always considered himself to be fairly fit and athletic, but as he struggled to lift boxes Makoto carried with ease, he realised how wrong he had been.
Lunch was like a gift straight from the heavens, and not because of the strawberry jam sandwiches Mrs. Tachibana packed for them. It was dreadful to know they were only halfway done, and though he usually had to push himself through the day too, this was something else.
At the end of a normal day, his head would be aching because of the information that was pumped into it, but his mind was pretty much the sole part of him that wasn't worn out then. Studying things he didn't care about for hours upon hours and being corrected at his every misstep was draining mentally, but being on his feet all day while hoisting around heavy crates was physically exhausting. He didn't think he'd be able to keep work like this up for an extensive period of time, that he'd ever get adjusted to going through this day in, day out without recess.
Experiencing what it was like to do things he normally didn't think twice about and that would otherwise be done for him changed his perspective immensely. He valued every contribution to society equivalently, but his respect for people like Makoto who worked harder than most for little reward grew substantially. No one should be living like this, and Haruka vowed to himself and to his kingdom that he would do everything within his might to restore the balance once he reigned.
Though Makoto kept saying he didn't mind it, Haruka hoped things would turn around for him soon in whatever way he needed. After working round-the-clock for so many years, he deserved to get some rest - and perhaps, that rest would come sooner than anticipated. If it were up to Haruka, this would have been one of the last days of manual labour of his life.
Makoto's everlasting smile was what fueled him to go on. Had it not been for his company and his radiant energy, then he would've collapsed before the sun was at its peak. Every odd job Makoto arranged for them was horrible in its own way, but when they returned to his house for dinner, Haruka could honestly say he had enjoyed himself. It showed him Makoto could guide him through any hardship, that he'd be able to conquer it all as long as he had him.
What Haruka hadn't been able to blow off quickly was Makoto's insistence to split his earnings. They had both worked hard and Haruka relieved his burden quite a bit, resulting in him being done much sooner than usual. That warranted an equal amount of pay, Makoto argued. Haruka didn't even bother to explain why he declined.
Makoto's endless kindness and generosity couldn't be described as anything but foolish, but it was one of the countless reasons Haruka adored him so.
When they parted at dusk, Makoto asked if he would join him on his errands the next day too. Alas, Haruka had no other choice but to reject that offer. There was nothing he wanted more than to spend all the time in the world with Makoto, but to prolong that time as much as possible, there were some measures he had to take.
And that was what brought him to Blacksmith Tachibana's today.
"Wait here," he told Sousuke, who shrugged and leaned against the front of the shop with crossed arms. His guard had no interest in his escapades and didn't try to mask his indifference either. Sousuke proved over and over that Haruka made the right choice in bringing him, because he wouldn't want to have it any other way.
To summon courage from every fiber of his being, Haruka closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He balled up his hands, waited one, two seconds, and knocked on the large oak door. Unable to will the nerves away, he threw himself into the deep end and walked inside.
Unlike the first time he entered this shop, smoke didn't immediately assault his windpipe and the air felt pleasantly warm rather than sweltering; the flames that licked out of the oven were doused, reduced to nothing more than remnants of coal and ash. The scent of fire was present like it always was, but the room was illuminated solely by the sunlight that poured in through the windows. Some of the tools that hung on the wall had been removed, their vague silhouettes left behind on the discoloured wooden panels.
As expected, Mr. Tachibana stood at his workbench. With a thick, worn rag, he polished a pair of clamps to banish the rust before it could settle. His head whipped up when he heard Haruka come in and his eyebrows were raised comically above his frameless spectacles.
"Good morning, Mr. Tachibana," Haruka greeted with a bow, heartbeat spiking at the sight of him.
"Good morning, Haruka," he replied, confused but welcoming. "Makoto's not here, I believe he went out on an errand for the Kuramotos. If you-"
"I know," Haruka blurted and he bit his bottom lip. He hadn't meant to interrupt so crudely, but with every word Mr. Tachibana spoke, he got more and more anxious. His nails imprinted his sweaty palms as he forced himself to stay collected. "I'm not here for Makoto. I'm here for you."
That took Mr. Tachibana by surprise and he tilted his head in question. "Oh?"
"I wanted to have a talk with you, if that's alright?"
"Of course. Take a seat." He gestured to the stool under the other side of the bench. "Do you mind if I continue this in the meanwhile?"
"No no, please do continue." Haruka sat where he was told to and stared at his lap, fiddling with his thumbs. On the way here his determination flourished, but now the moment had finally arrived, it crumbled.
Like his gentle son, Mr. Tachibana was not a scary man at all, yet it was his role as Makoto's father that intimidated Haruka. He was more frightened for this conversation than the one with King and Queen Hazuki, and perhaps even more than for the upcoming negotiations with his parents. It was illogical, but he couldn't help the jittery feeling in his stomach.
An encouraging smile appeared on Mr. Tachibana's face; he probably noticed Haruka's turmoil and wanted to comfort him. His eyes differed from Makoto's, but they shone with the same kindness. "So, Haruka, what did you want to talk with me about?"
"I…" Haruka hesitated. He had to cut to the chase right away, rip the plaster off in one go rather than extending the torture. With another deep breath, he clenched his fists, looked Mr. Tachibana right in the eyes and said, "I want to ask you for Makoto's hand."
His voice nearly echoed throughout the quiet shop and Mr. Tachibana promptly ceased rubbing his clamps, the rag slipping through his calloused fingers.
Haruka's heart pounded against his ribcage like a hammer striking a heated blade as he waited for Mr. Tachibana's response. The butterflies eating away at him from within became fiercer with every agonising second and his determination from before had long since left the building. He knew from the start that it was an unreasonable request of a man he met no more than four days prior, but if he hadn't asked it, he would regret it for the rest of his life. So he could only wait and hope that Makoto's father would recognise his sincerity.
After a short pause that felt like an eon, Mr. Tachibana's lips twitched up in what could only be interpreted as a mischievous grin.
"Just his hand? I figured you would at least want to have his face, too."
Haruka's jaw dropped and his eyes widened in bewilderment. For a second he questioned whether the language spoken in Sano differed from Iwatobi's, because there was no way he heard that correctly.
He had carefully calculated all the possible things Mr. Tachibana could say and crafted his answers accordingly; from thanking him profusely to the arguments he would use to convince him of the purity of his feelings for his son. This, however, was nowhere to be found in his predictions and he had no reaction prepared for this.
"No, I- I meant-"
Loud, boisterous laughter erupted from Mr. Tachibana's chest at Haruka's awkward stuttering. This baffled him even more. His brows furrowed as he watched how Mr. Tachibana's torso shook, unsure whether this response was good or bad news.
"I'm only joking, son," he clarified when his giggles gradually died out. His fatherly smile returned, though it was laced with mirth, "I know what you meant."
A deep sigh left Haruka's lips. It wasn't until then that he realised that Mr. Tachibana's strange comment made all his nerves vanish and his confusion transformed into appreciation. He regained his composure and his confidence flooded back to him. "What do you think, sir?"
"I think," Mr. Tachibana started, all the teasing having left his tone to make place for solemnity, "that I'm not the person you should be asking that."
"Oh." That caught Haruka off guard. In Iwatobi, it was customary to ask the father of your beloved for permission to marry them. It was foolish of him to assume it was the same in Sano. "Should I ask his mother instead?"
Mr. Tachibana smiled and emphasised, "You should ask him."
"Of course, I'm going to," Haruka said, "I just wanted to know if I had your blessing."
"That depends." Mr. Tachibana leaned his palms on the tarnished table, the clamps he was cleaning cast aside and abandoned. "If he says yes, then you do; if he says no, then you don't. It's his decision, and I will stand by him no matter what he chooses."
That was not the answer Haruka had hoped for, but it was one he respected nonetheless. "Are you not concerned, though?" he asked, unable to retain his own doubts, "I know it's only been a week since we met, and the circumstances aren't exactly in our favour either…"
"Are you trying to convince me to oppose to your relationship and revoke my blessing?" Mr. Tachibana said with a chuckle.
"No, of course not," Haruka said and this time, his jokes didn't calm the storm within, "It's just…" He searched for the right words to explain what he meant; this development would have consequences and Mr. Tachibana needed to be aware of that. "If Makoto accepts and everything goes as we want it to, then we'll all have a rough time ahead. He will have to quit working here and move to a different kingdom, and you might not be able to see him for quite some time. Are you sure you're okay with that?"
"If that's what he wants, then yes. Of course, I'll miss him. He's my son and I love him dearly, but it's his life, his happiness. So I will support him in whatever choice he makes," Mr. Tachibana vowed, "and I'm sure his mother feels the same way."
The verbal affirmation of their approval lifted a huge weight off Haruka's shoulders and he smiled to himself.
Anyone living in poverty would rejoice at an opportunity like this without considering exactly what it entailed, and no one could blame them for it. Marrying a prince from a prosperous kingdom was like a rope to haul you from a poisoned well, one that hoisted you as well as your whole family from the trenches. An offer only fools and madmen would refuse.
But the Tachibanas were different. Despite their troubles, their family was their wealth; they valued each other more than all the riches in the world. If their son wished to engage himself with Haruka, then they wanted him to do so for his own desire, not because of the financial benefit - which was ironic, considering the conditions under which they met. Happiness didn't pay the bills, but it had to be treasured when it was all you had left.
If anything, this was how Haruka preferred it. He wouldn't know how to act if Makoto's parents didn't treat him like they would any other suitor.
A large, scarred hand on his shoulder made Haruka look back at Mr. Tachibana. The teasing faded from his hickory eyes, replaced with sincerity. "You're a good man, Haruka," he said with that warm smile, "I'm sure you'll make him very happy."
What Mr. Tachibana hinted at didn't go unnoticed, and a huff of joy left Haruka's lips. "Thank you, sir."
"Sir?" Mr. Tachibana repeated with feigned pain in his voice. "No need for such formalities at this point. Just call me 'Dad'."
The playfulness returned in full force and Mr. Tachibana laughed merrily at his own joke. Had a career as blacksmith not worked out for him, he might have had a bright future as a jester. He could make anyone laugh at his silly remarks, if not himself. While Haruka wasn't one for a hearty chuckle, he couldn't help but smile too.
"All jokes aside," Mr. Tachibana continued, ridding his head of comedic comments in favour of some serious talk, "You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?"
"Yes," Haruka affirmed, "I'm sorry this is on such a short notice, but I wanted to be sure before I asked."
"Sure that you want to share your life with him?"
He shook his head. "Sure that he wants to share his life with me. If it weren't for our situation, I would have liked for us to take our time so we could truly get to know each other, but alas time is a luxury we don't have. We have to take a leap of faith, but I'm confident. I hope he is, too."
"When are you going to ask him?"
"Tonight."
For the first time, a hint of worry flashed through Mr. Tachibana's irises, like everything suddenly felt real. "That's soon."
It was. While he wished Makoto would accept his proposal without hesitation, he wanted to give him some time to think about it before he jumped into the abyss with him. If his wishes were granted, then Makoto needed to process everything and come to terms with the changes that awaited him. To pack his belongings and say goodbye to his family and friends, to this town he grew up in. Time was not on their side, but he wanted to offer Makoto as much as he could.
Behind his frameless spectacles, Mr. Tachibana's eyes softened in a meld of understanding and gratitude. "You must have a lot to do for the big moment."
"I do," Haruka confirmed. He had a long mental list of all the things he had to do, from paying Mrs. Tachibana a visit and gathering groceries, to writing a letter to Nagisa and Rei to inform them of his plans and sending it off to the palace. The day ahead would be busy and probably a bit hectic, but it would be worth it in the end. He was sure of it.
"In that case, this old man won't hold you up with his jabbering any longer," Mr. Tachibana said as he picked up his polishing rag. "Good luck! I can't wait to hear his answer."
Although his time was scarce, Haruka could not take his leave just yet. The most important piece in this complicated puzzle lied here, in the hands of Mr. Tachibana.
"Actually, there's one more thing I would like to ask you."
Orange and pink hues intermingled in the evening sky to signify the sun's departure, bringing along the end of the workday for the townsfolk. The once lively streets were nearly vacant; the doors of the shops were closed and the signs turned in tandem, and the people who still roamed around were heading to their respective places to retire for the night.
Makoto was no exception. With a slight skip in his step, he hurried home. Because of an unforeseen occurrence on his way back to town, he was late for supper.
After he weeded out a few sections of the Kunikida family's vegetable fields and left for the day, he strolled past the Natsume farm. A segment of their fence had caved in and one of the goats escaped from the meadow, wreaking havoc upon the rest of the property. Kaoru, the Natsume's son, was panting and wheezing as he tried to catch it, but it was to no avail.
When faced with issues like that, Makoto couldn't ignore what was happening and stalk off; he had to help out. While Mr. Natsume hammered his fence back shut, Makoto ran after the goat that, after having its first taste of freedom, was not eager to return to the life as livestock.
Eventually, the goat stranded at a dead end and he was able to capture and usher it back to the enclosure. The Natsumes were grateful for his assistance, but regretful that they couldn't pay him for his services - which was understandable, given the nature of the problem. Instead, they rewarded him a small block of cheese as compensation. It was more than he expected, so he gratefully accepted it.
With that settled, he hoped his food would still be warm when he got home. But more than that, he hoped Haruka and Sousuke would be there to join them for the meal - the former especially.
They hadn't seen each other since last night, when he escorted his prince and his guard back to the inn. Although he was used to working by himself, he had to admit that it had been rather lonely without Haruka today.
When he invited him to come along, Haruka explained he had some business to take care of, so he didn't press on. Even if Haruka wasn't busy, Makoto would understand if he didn't want to join him on his errands; Haruka brightened up his world, but he saw how much he struggled yesterday and he wouldn't want to put him through that discomfort again just because he longed for his presence.
That being said, the prospect of Haruka leaving tomorrow did increase the aching. The more time passed since their arrival in Sano, the more the expectation that Haruka would ask him to come back to Iwatobi with him dwindled. At the very least, Makoto wanted to spend the last days he was here together, but that wish wasn't granted either. Though he would never doubt Haruka's honesty, there was a part of him that thought his absence today was his answer.
But Makoto didn't want to give in to despair yet. Until he saw Haruka stepping into the carriage and riding out of this town, nothing was set in stone. That was the last sliver of faith he clung to.
He arrived home in record time and when he swung the door open, his heart sank.
There was no sight of Haruka or Sousuke in their small living room; only his parents and siblings sat around the table, eating rice with an assortment of vegetables and something that resembled the fish he had eaten in Iwatobi. The sight of it astonished him because they normally couldn't afford such a lavish meal. Their funds must have increased considerably if it was served now, and that brought a small smile to his face. He was curious to see if the twins would like fish as much as he did.
"I'm home," he called out with an exaggerated smile to mask his disappointment. He hung up his bag and took the block of cheese out of it. "I'm sorry I'm so late, on the way home one of-"
The defeat he felt didn't last long before it had to make place for confusion, that welled up to the forefront of his mind when he looked at the dinner table: there was no plate in front of his empty chair. Whenever he was running late, his plate of food would always stand ready for him to dig in the second he got home. By the looks of it, his family was already halfway through supper.
"What's going on?"
"Makoto, welcome back!" his mother said, and the others muttered similar phrases in varying levels of poorly concealed excitement. "You're not having dinner here tonight."
Ran and Ren snickered around their full mouths and a hint of a smirk played at his father's lips. Apparently, everyone knew about this except for him.
"I'm not?"
His mother grinned from ear to ear. "Someone is waiting for you at the town square."
"Someone?" Makoto questioned, but it was unnecessary. There was only one person who that could be. A beaming smile lit up his face as he inhaled sharply. "Haru!"
His father giggled at his reaction. "Better hurry up. You wouldn't want to leave him waiting, now would you?"
Makoto fiercely shook his head. He practically threw the cheese onto the countertop and then he ran back outside. "I'm going out," he yelled, and he was well out of the street before he could've heard a reply.
In less than a minute he got to the alley that led to the town square, having sprinted the entire way, and he took a moment to calm his frantic breathing. He coughed lightly to clear his throat, adjusted his hat and smoothed over his worn clothing. Before he walked through the alley, he breathed in deeply once more and straightened his back, desperate to appear nonchalant; the last thing he wanted was to look frazzled when he was meeting Haruka. He didn't know what awaited him on the other side, but all his doubts had withered.
There at the top of the stone steps sat Haruka, accompanied by Sousuke to protect him from the pickpockets and assassins that weren't present. The instant Makoto saw him, the world around him melted away. The corners of his mouth almost ripped because of the large grin he couldn't suppress. "Haru!"
Haruka looked up at the sound of his voice, and a tiny smile graced his features too. Though he just regained his composure, Makoto's pace sped up again, his feet closing the distance between them as fast as they could.
"Makoto."
"Sorry I'm so late," he started, figuring Haruka must have been waiting for some time now, "You wouldn't believe what happened on the- wait, where are you going?"
Upon Makoto's arrival, Sousuke promptly walked away from them. He ignored Makoto completely and his broad form grew smaller and smaller until he turned around the corner and vanished from sight.
Unfazed by his disappearance, Haruka replied in his guard's stead, "He's going off somewhere to lie with Rin."
"Oh. Oh." When he realised what Haruka meant, Makoto's eyes widened in shock and embarrassment stained his cheeks. The mental image of that flustered him beyond belief and once the thought was planted in his head, it couldn't be erased.
"I'm joking," Haruka assured, amusement twinkling in his gorgeous eyes, "I don't know where he's going. I told him he could have some time to himself."
"Oh," Makoto sighed and willed away the blush that burned in his cheeks, "I wouldn't be surprised if he's actually going to Rin. I think they fancy each other more than either of them would admit."
"He probably is. Either that or he's wandering around town aimlessly because he got lost on the way there."
Makoto chuckled and the weight of the day fell off him with every shake of his shoulders. It wasn't until his laughter ebbed away that he noticed what Haruka had assembled; he was seated on a big picnic blanket, laid out with the view of the deserted square and the peachy sky peeking out above the buildings in mind. Five lit candles on an ornate candle holder provided atmosphere as well as light in case the sun set before they were ready to leave. On the other side of the checkered blanket stood two baskets, the ones he brought with them from Iwatobi on their trip. Their contents were hidden by the shut lids, piquing Makoto's interest to discover the unknown.
"Anyway, what were you saying?"
"Nevermind that," Makoto brushed off, already forgotten about his own tale as curiosity engulfed him. "What's all this?"
"Business," Haruka said after a short pause, an adorable pink tinge dusting his cheekbones. "Come, sit down." He patted the spot next to him.
Giddiness churned through Makoto's stomach. He couldn't wait to see what other tricks Haruka had up his sleeve that he conveniently disguised as 'business'.
Not wanting to dirty Haruka's blanket, he leaned down to take off his muddy boots before he got onto it. Childlike enthusiasm gushed through his veins as he looked at Haruka, something no one else was able to induce in him.
Fortunately, the sentiment was mutual. A bashful smile adorned Haruka's lips as he reached into one of his baskets and he passed two metal cups to Makoto, who instantly recognised them as his father's handiwork. Then he took out an expensive-looking bottle that he uncorked with a soft pop.
When they each had a cup of the yellowish-white liquid in hand, Makoto clinked the rims together. "Cheers!"
"To what?" Haruka asked, his voice kind yet expectant.
"To…" Us, was what Makoto wanted to say, but he couldn't get the word past his lips. He sifted through his brain for anything else, but their uncertain situation limited his options. "Happiness," he eventually concluded.
Haruka smiled. "To happiness," he repeated as he raised his cup and took a sip of the beverage.
Makoto followed suit. His flagon of water was long empty by the time he finished his work, so he gratefully gulped down half of his cup. It wasn't until he drank from it that he realised he had no clue what was inside; the drink had a strong smell and a funny taste unlike anything he'd ever had before. He couldn't help but make a face. "What is this?"
"Wine?" Haruka replied in bewilderment, "You've never had wine before?"
"No, alcohol is pretty expensive."
"But, back at home during dinner we-"
"I was Nagisa, remember?" Makoto interrupted, "Nagisa's still seventeen, so I wasn't served any alcohol."
"Oh, of course. Sorry," Haruka said, but Makoto simply shook his head.
While the consumption of alcohol by minors was not forbidden, it was frowned upon in the upper classes to serve something to a child that was meant for adults. Makoto was sure many paid no mind to it outside of official banquets or parties though; in his daily life, Nagisa probably drank whatever he pleased.
In Makoto's own circles, the norms weren't as strict. Despite this, he turned down every alcoholic beverage he got offered in the past. He never craved these types of drinks mainly because of their unpleasant scent, and he was afraid that he would start to once he got a taste of it. Knowing he couldn't afford it, accepting beer or whiskey would be nothing but torment. There were more important things to spend their money on.
That didn't even mention the slippery slope of debt he saw many men ensnaring themselves in when craving turned into addiction. Though no one in his family had succumbed to those temptations before, Makoto was not keen on becoming the first.
"I brought water too if you prefer that."
"No, it's fine!" It might taste a bit weird, but Makoto wasn't about to waste a fine, expensive drink - especially not since he was sharing it with Haruka. A drink or two would cause no harm. "I just have to get used to it, that's all."
"In that case, don't drink too much too quickly," Haruka advised, "I can't carry you home if you get drunk and pass out."
"I'll be careful," Makoto promised. His memories with Haruka were the most precious treasure he had, and he wouldn't allow the wine to steal this evening from him.
"Good," Haruka said as he put his cup down. "Are you hungry?"
"A little, yeah," Makoto replied, but a loud growl from his stomach immediately betrayed his true hunger.
Haruka snorted and reached into his basket again. This time, he took two lunch boxes out of it and handed one to Makoto. "I hope it's still warm."
There was but one way to find out and Makoto opened his box. Hot damps floated from the familiar food once the lid was removed: rice with a side of carrots, broccoli, onions and mushrooms, and a small fillet of mackerel chopped into bite-sized pieces.
His mouth watered as the delicious fragrance entered his nose. The food looked so good he had to stop himself from shovelling it directly down his throat and he glanced at Haruka with wonder. "Did you make this yourself?"
"I did," Haruka confirmed, "Your parents were kind enough to lend me your kitchen."
"It looks and smells amazing!"
"I hope it tastes good too," he said with an appreciative smile, "Making it was a bit more challenging than last time."
"Because you had to work in such a small kitchen, with different tools and ingredients?"
"Because I had to work by myself."
Makoto huffed in disbelief. "You did most of the work last time so I'm sure you didn't need me at all."
"I do," Haruka said, voice small and vulnerable, eyes not leaving Makoto's.
The implication didn't go over his head; it sent tingles down his spine, tingles of hope and affection and the heat returned to his cheeks.
When Haruka saw his reaction, he quickly reasoned, "Everything took longer without your assistance." He tried to appear unperturbed, but it was futile; he averted his gaze and rummaged through his basket again to draw the attention away from the blush that tinted his skin too. "Anyway, let's eat before it does get cold. I figured it would be difficult to eat here with a knife and fork so I cut everything up so we could use spoons."
"Thanks," Makoto said, smiling in endearment as he accepted the spoon. He knew not to push Haruka further when he changed the subject like this, and there was no need to in the first place.
Instead, his hunger triumphed over every other urge and he scooped up as much of the food as he could. A moan of delight involuntarily escaped him when he took a bite, his eyes falling shut to enjoy the taste to its fullest. The rice was soft and fluffy and the seasoning enhanced all the vegetables' individual qualities. That was not to mention the savouriness of the mackerel, that wrapped up the whole dish to create an explosion of flavour.
It wasn't the exact same as the meal they had prepared together in the palace's kitchen, but it was just as tasty; enough for him to want to inhale it like a ravenous, feral animal, but that went against all the etiquette he was taught.
"It's so good!" he praised, making an effort to chew slowly, "You really have a knack for this, Haru!"
"Thank you," Haruka mumbled and he stuffed a large chunk of mackerel in his mouth when the colour that rose to his cheeks brightened. "So what were you saying earlier?"
"Hm? Oh yes! The reason why I was late," Makoto said and he took a tiny sip of wine to rinse down his bite before he relayed the anecdote. "So I was weeding out some parts of the Kunikida family's garden - they have a vegetable farm where they grow eggplants and paprikas and the likes - and I finished right on time. But when I was walking home, I passed by the neighbours' farm, the Natsumes, who keep sheep and goats. A part of their fence collapsed and one of the goats had slipped through the opening. Mr. Natsume tried to keep the other animals from escaping too while his son went after the goat. But of course the goat was much faster than poor little Kaoru and the whole farm was in chaos, so I couldn't just stand there and watch!"
"So you were late because you were chasing a runaway goat?" Haruka asked with a quirked eyebrow, voice at the verge of a light chuckle.
Makoto was well aware of how strange this story sounded, especially to someone like Haruka. But if he was making excuses, he would have come up with something less obscure than this. "Yes!" he insisted, "Have you ever tried to catch a goat before?"
Haruka let out a hum of feigned contemplation. "I can't say that I have."
"Let me tell you, they're a lot faster than they look!"
That was the comment that broke the dam and made Haruka laugh. He probably envisioned the absurd scene in his head, which admittedly, was probably a lot funnier than actually chasing a frantic goat. "Well, did you catch it or not?"
"Of course, otherwise I'd still be running around for it," Makoto said with a tiny giggle of his own, "After a while, I trapped it in a corner near the shed and it had nowhere to go. I was able to throw a rope around its neck and guide it back to the meadow. Mr. Natsume hammered the fence back shut so it couldn't escape again."
"Poor goat," Haruka remarked, covering his lips with his fingers after he took another bite of mackerel, "It went through all that effort to break free and run away only to be captured again in the end."
"Yeah," Makoto agreed. He knew how important it was for the Natsume family's business, but he understood the goat like no other, wanting to shatter the shackles of confinement and obligation. "I'm sure it gets treated right where it is, but I suppose nothing beats freedom. But then again, if it lived in the wild it would get eaten by a wolf sooner or later."
"That's true," Haruka said, "I guess everything has its pros and cons."
"So did this; I was late for dinner, but the Natsumes did give me a block of cheese as a thanks. I would've brought it if I knew you were planning this. The Natsumes make the best goat cheese in Sano!"
"We can always eat it later."
Warmth filled his stomach at the sweet look on Haruka's face and Makoto nodded. "Anyway, how was your day?"
"Not as exciting as yours, apparently," he said, his smile turning into a smirk, "I didn't chase any goats."
"Usually I don't either. Today was an exception," Makoto swore. This was not what he wanted his legacy to be. "Enough about goats. What did you do?"
"I chased down everything I needed for dinner. Now I understand why you've never had fish prior to your visit to Iwatobi: it was expensive. One gold coin for two of these tiny fillets of mackerel!"
"I know. All the seafood comes from Hidaka, and the import taxes aren't exactly the cheapest. Especially because fish isn't preservable."
"It's ridiculous," Haruka grumbled, "When the alliance with Sano becomes official, I'll personally make sure good, affordable fish gets imported from Iwatobi from then on. Everyone deserves to have a decent mackerel on their plate at least once a day."
The corners of Makoto's lips inadvertently curled up. Haruka's passion for mackerel was honestly adorable, and though Makoto didn't love it as much as he did, he truly appreciated his kindness. "Wait, how many fillets did you buy?" he asked when he remembered the meal on the table at home.
"Six."
That confirmed Makoto's suspicions and as per usual, he wasn't sure whether to scold or to thank Haruka. "Haru, that's too expensive, I-"
"I was cooking for us in your kitchen so I couldn't not cook for your family too," Haruka immediately cut in, "Besides, I can afford it."
Though it was hard to grasp that Haruka spent that much just on fish, his reasoning did make sense. "Thanks, Haru," Makoto muttered, smiling as he imagined the excited looks on Ran and Ren's faces.
They didn't eat meat every day because it was quite pricey and when they were fortunate enough to have it for dinner, they split two or three slices between the five of them. The twins absolutely loved meat and fought over every bite, which often resulted in Makoto giving his share to them too. Ran always said her dream in life was to eat an entire steak by herself, and having a small fillet of mackerel she didn't have to share with anyone was a fair beginning to realising it.
Perhaps Haruka could not only make his dreams come true, but those of his family, too.
"But what about Sousuke?" Makoto wondered. The guard wasn't at his house for dinner and hadn't joined them on their little picnic either.
Haruka shrugged. "When we were fetching groceries, I asked if he would be eating with us too so I'd know how much to get, but he declined. He's probably mooching off of the Matsuokas right now."
Makoto was sure Sousuke preferred it this way, and he would be lying if he said he minded his absence. The guard was missing out though; while Makoto wouldn't dare to insult Mrs. Matsuoka's cooking skills, he knew that whatever meal she was serving couldn't compare to the one he had in front of him. "Well, whatever he's having, it can't be better than this."
Haruka looked away and didn't say a thing, overwhelmed by the stream of compliments; Makoto might have been illiterate, but he was fluent in reading Haruka's expressions. It felt like he had been for his entire life, but truly, every minute they spent together was like the turn of a page that taught him more and drew him further into the novel of Prince Haruka Nanase. A novel he never wanted to put down again.
And maybe he wouldn't have to either.
The peachy heavens slowly bled to indigo as they finished up their meal in the company of flickering candles and frivolous chattering. The sun was no longer visible from where they were seated, but its glow lingered in the sky to extend its stay.
Not a grain of rice remained in Makoto's lunch box by the time he put down his spoon. When he was in Iwatobi, the endless current of food proved how small his appetite was but now, he dearly wished there were seconds. Was it not to still his hunger, then to stretch out their time together.
"Thanks for the meal," Makoto said as he put the lid back on the box. "It really was amazing."
A slight smile of gratitude graced Haruka's face. "Shall we have dessert now or do you want to wait a little before we continue?"
The notion of dessert made Makoto's ears perk up. On any other day, he would have wanted to dig in straight away, especially because he had a fair idea as to what this dessert was, but he held himself back this time. "Let's wait."
Haruka nodded and he put the empty lunch boxes back into the basket, his expression illegible - this was a chapter Makoto hadn't deciphered yet, and he was excited to get to it. Haruka refilled their cups and took a big swig of wine. A deep breath followed and he closed his eyes for just a moment before he said, "I have something for you."
Unlike dessert, Makoto had no clue what this something could be and his heart skipped a beat. Anticipation surged through his veins as Haruka turned his back to him and reached for the second basket, the one he hadn't opened yet. Makoto bit his bottom lip, gaze glued to Haruka's hands as the mystery surrounding the basket was unveiled.
"I haven't grown them myself, but I did assemble them, so I hope you like them," Haruka said as he pulled out an arrangement of flowers.
"Haru," Makoto gasped in surprise; he had received flowers before, a stray buttercup and a wild daisy, but never a grand bouquet like this. His hands shook as he accepted it, thorns jabbing in his calloused skin, but he could barely feel it because his mind was captivated by the gesture. "They're beautiful."
Cornered by leaves and four large hydrangeas, purple and pink, was a myriad of red roses, all framing a single white rose in the center. Small, dainty orange blossoms were woven through the bouquet to tie it together both in form and in meaning. A silky red ribbon held the flowers together, the finishing touch of this astonishing present.
Back in Iwatobi, Haruka told him a lot about the language of flowers and though he had paid close attention, all their meanings but one drifted from his mind when he studied the bouquet with his mouth agape. Apparently, they stand for eternal love.
"I'm glad," Haruka murmured, a tiny smile lifting his blossomed cheeks.
"I love them but… what's the occasion?" Makoto asked, frightened by the thought of it being a gift goodbye.
"I… There's something I want to talk with you about. Something I need to ask you."
For a moment his heart ceased beating and the oxygen was stolen from his lungs. All of the hopes and dreams and fears that generated and prospered during their time together flashed before his eyes. Deep down, he knew what Haruka was going to ask him, but he didn't dare to believe it. Not until he heard him speak those words loud and clearly.
Haruka's head was downturned, facing his lap as he fumbled with the gold band around his finger. The liquid courage didn't seem to settle, for the pause stretched thinner and thinner and the tension became more palpable with every second.
Makoto put the bouquet next to him on the ground and covered his hand, wrapping his fingers around his. He didn't mean to rush Haruka because he would wait as long as he needed, but he had to know no topic was taboo; he could ask him whatever he wanted, tell him everything that was on his mind.
Upon feeling the gentle touch, Haruka raised his head and he smiled when he saw the unyielding patience and confidence residing in Makoto's gaze. It was infectious; the fragments of doubt vanished from his profound sapphires and were replaced with determination.
"Will you come back home with me, to Iwatobi?" Haruka asked, and the moment those words vibrated through the air, the hesitancy returned to punch him in the gut. "I know it's a lot to ask, and I'm sorry it's on such a short notice; I wish we had more time to truly get to know each other before making decisions this big. But we don't, so I have to ask now because I don't want to go back without you. This past week has been the best week of my entire life and I've never been so happy before, and I don't want this to end. I want to be with you. Of course, we don't have to get married right away, but-"
"Wait," Makoto interrupted his rambling. Haruka was talking so fast it was hard to keep up and his brain short-circuited at the very first question. With a slight delay, everything was processed and Makoto's jaw slackened when he realised what Haruka was actually saying. "Are you proposing to me?"
"I am," Haruka confirmed with an assertive nod, so lost in his story he forgot to ask that specific question. He reached into the pocket of his trousers, hidden behind his lengthy cobalt coat, and pulled out a small box. "Like I said, we don't have to get married right-"
"Haru!"
Overcome by enthusiasm and euphoria, Makoto flung himself at Haruka and knocked them both down, sending the velvety box flying. He didn't waste another breath before he pressed their lips together rather harshly, yet with immense passion.
This was what he'd been longing to hear ever since Haruka discovered his true identity, but it felt like it was too good to be true, because it was. Unbelievable, there was no other word to describe it.
When he realised how he ambushed Haruka in the middle of his sentence, Makoto began to pull away so he could apologise. But before their lips could part, Haruka's hand on his cheek drew him in for more. His arm wrapped around Makoto's shoulder as he kissed him with an urgency not yet expressed.
Oh, how he had missed the softness of Haruka's lips against his own, and his eyelids fell shut to savour this kiss like it deserved to be. The reins of self-control slipped to let Makoto lose himself in his beautiful prince like he had wanted to for centuries now. This kiss was long overdue but well worth the wait.
He cradled Haruka's neck to cushion it from the cobblestone ground beneath the blanket and briefly wondered if he hit his head on the rough way down. But soon, the town square around them melted away for the second time that evening and with it, every thought inside his own head. They were floating through the sky on a cloud of hope and affection, far above the spikes of reality that lurked to pop it. At that moment, Makoto's plane of existence couldn't hold anything but Haruka.
Who would have guessed that their second kiss would be even better, even more magical than their first? It wasn't strange, because this time around, there were no lies. No façades. Only two hearts opening up to let each other in, in a way they never had to anyone else before. That was the greatest feeling in the world.
Yearning to hear the rest of his proposal, Makoto had no choice but to end the tender kiss. The twinge of remorse in his stomach was drowned out by the knowledge that there would be many more to follow.
"Sorry for tackling you so suddenly," Makoto said as he gently pulled Haruka back up and dusted off the back of his fancy coat. "Did I hurt you?"
Haruka shook his head. "It's fine; I'm fine."
"I'm glad," Makoto said and the bulk of worry was lifted off his heart, "Sorry, please finish what you were saying."
When he gathered his thoughts, Haruka continued from where he was promptly, but not undesirably deflected, "We don't have to get married right away, but in order for us to be taken seriously, it's best if our relationship is official."
With every word Makoto's smile widened. Though Haruka should've known what his answer would be given his uncontainable elation just now, his cheeks were dyed rosy with bashfulness as he took Makoto's hands in his once more.
"So, Makoto Tachibana, will you marry me?"
Waking up next to Haruka in the palace and sharing a feast with him in bed, afterwards strolling through the garden overflowing with gorgeous flowers and swarmed with cats. Stealing tiny kisses as Haruka taught him how to read and write, entwining their fingers when they played piano together, stepping on his toes for the millionth time as they twirled around the ballroom in each other's arms to music he still wasn't familiar with and laughing every time. Falling asleep in his embrace after a day that was pleasantly tiring, and looking forward to doing it all over again when the sun came up.
"Yes!" Despite knowing this question was coming, hearing it aloud made fireworks shoot through his body, and he couldn't resist pressing another chaste kiss to Haruka's lips. But when he withdrew himself, his grin dripped off. "What's wrong?"
Unlike what he expected, Haruka didn't match his joy. Instead, scepticism twisted his features. It stung.
Haruka's lips moved, but no sound left them as he tried to collect his doubts. "Are you sure about this?" he asked with vivid reluctance.
"What?" Makoto said, puzzled by the shift in mood, "Of course I'm sure! Haru, I-"
"No," Haruka cut him off, squeezing his hands insistently, "You need to think this through carefully. This is a huge decision, one that's going to change your life forever. From now on, nothing will ever be the same again. Not like how it was before you met me, but not like this past week either. Even if we get my parents' permission, that won't be the end of our hardships; if anything, that's where our hardships begin. You'll have to learn everything I was taught in the past nineteen years, from all kinds of subject matters like economics and mathematics and history, to how to carry yourself and how to hold a proper conversation and everything in between. And in the meanwhile, we'll be expected to go to conferences and attend banquets, and we'll travel throughout the entire kingdom to meet our folk and try to appease their troubles. I can guarantee it won't be easy."
Admittedly, Makoto hadn't thought about that. During their brief time together, Nagisa complained endlessly about his studies and duties and obligations, and he wasn't even the crown prince of an enormous kingdom like Haruka was. He should have known the future wouldn't be as bright and carefree as he always envisioned, yet when he looked at Haruka, that was all he could see. A future filled with warmth.
"Once we get to the point that my parents support us, there'll be no going back," Haruka pressed on, the crease of his eyebrows deepening. "Are you sure you're willing to sacrifice your whole life for this, just so you can be with me?"
Despite the pleading tone of his voice, Makoto smiled. "I am," he said, because this was what he'd been hoping for in every minute he spent with Haruka, and even long before then. To turn his life around, to get a fresh start. He'd give up everything in a heartbeat if it meant he could be with Haruka. "Don't say I have to think about this, because I have been thinking about this the entire time, since the moment I first saw you. I want to be with you too, Haru, and I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen."
Finally, the grave expression on Haruka's face softened into a relieved, grateful one. "Thank you," he murmured as he drew Makoto in for a hug, "I promise I'll do everything within my might so we can be together."
Makoto kissed Haruka's hair and closed his eyes to soak up this feeling. But the happiness was baseless, because Haruka's words echoed and echoed through his head like a grim reminder of where they currently stood. They hadn't climbed the steep mountain yet, they merely agreed they'd attempt to conquer it together. In a way, they were as far off as they had been since Haruka stormed out of the throne room and Makoto was left to pick up the pieces of the heart he personally shattered.
"But," he mumbled under his breath, pulling out of their embrace. "How on earth are we going to get your parents to allow us to be together? We don't have a trump card this time, not like we did with Nagisa's parents."
"I know," Haruka sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as he pondered, "I'll figure it out. We might not have a trump card, but I do have some leverage."
"You do?"
"Hm," he hummed, "I'm the crown prince. They need me to lead the kingdom, so they'll have to listen to what I have to say. If they don't, I'll threaten to relinquish the throne."
Makoto pursed his lips. "Do you think they'd be sensitive to such a threat?"
"They have to be, because I'm the only person in line," Haruka said with a smirk, "I have no siblings, my father has no siblings, my grandmother had no siblings; it's customary in our family to only have one child. Unless my parents wish to have another child that can become their heir, I'm all they've got."
It sounded like a great advantage; after all, what was a kingdom without a king or queen? But the doubtful side of Makoto remained. "What if they do have another child, or if they find someone else to take the throne?"
"Then I'll gladly surrender my title to them."
"I, what?" Makoto questioned in disbelief, surprised by the confidence in his voice, "You would do that for me?"
"Of course," Haruka said, "I'm asking the same of you, am I not?"
"Well yes, but it's not the same," Makoto thought, "My life can only get better from here on out but yours… I can't possibly ask you to give up everything you have, your whole life filled with luxury, just so you can come wallow in the gutter with me."
"You should know by now that I don't care about-"
"No, Haru," he interrupted, "You have to listen to me. Poverty is no joke. There will be times when you won't have food, or no warm clothes in the winter, or shoes with holes in them and no money to fix them or to buy new ones. You'll get dirty and there won't be any soap, you'll get sick and there won't be any medicine, and you'll have to work in spite of it. You'll have to work and work and work for the rest of your life without a break just so you can stay alive. It's constant suffering, even when you're happy. I can't do that to you, Haru. I won't."
"Makoto, listen," Haruka said as he grabbed Makoto's face in his hands, forcing him to meet his gaze. "It will be fine. Things will get better no matter what because frankly, I already have a head start. I have connections and I'm highly educated in many different fields, so it'll be easier for me to get a decent job than it ever was for you."
Again, Haruka did have a point, but the thought of him giving up the life Makoto always dreamt of just so they could be together left a bitter taste in his mouth. It didn't seem worth it on Haruka's part.
Another sigh left his lips and he averted his eyes as he let his hands slip from Makoto's cheeks. He leaned back on his palms, staring off into the dark alleyway ahead. "I don't know if living here in this town with you is going to make me happy," he stated matter-of-factly. When he turned to face Makoto again, his lips curled up into a small smile and he said, "But I do know that going back to Iwatobi and being married off to someone else is going to make me very unhappy."
"Haru…"
"You said you'd do whatever it takes for us to be together, and so will I," he said, "If worst comes to worst, I can always ask the Hazuki family for a job in the palace. After all, Nagisa owes us."
Knowing Nagisa, he'd probably jump at the opportunity to have his new friends closeby and offer them any job they'd ask for. With the royal wedding in sight, a new tutoring position could open up soon and Haruka might be the right fit for it. Weird as it seemed, that thought was somewhat comforting.
"But it's not going to get to that point," Haruka said tenaciously, "My parents are going to allow us to be together, whether they like it or not."
Although it sounded overconfident, Haruka was right. No one ever won a battle they went into with apprehension, so they shouldn't give up hope before Haruka even spoke with King and Queen Nanase. For now, they should hold on to their faith; perhaps believing in themselves would take them a long way on this obstacle-riddled road.
And yet, Makoto's qualms were ever-present. In fact, they grew heavier and heavier the more he mulled over them, because their issues didn't end there.
"But what about your bloodline?" If it weren't for the grandchild and heir he would bring forth, Makoto doubted if Haruka's parents would have married him off this eagerly to the first unwed 'princess' they encountered. Thus, this whole situation could have been resolved pretty easily if Makoto was a young, fertile maiden. But he wasn't. "Even if your parents were to support us, the kingdom would eventually be without a ruler because we can't have children together."
Haruka clicked his tongue in annoyance. This appeared to be something that had crossed his mind too, and it was a huge setback. They could attempt to blackmail his parents into acknowledging their relationship, but it would be fruitless if they couldn't clear this hurdle along with it.
"Maybe you could have a child with someone else, like a mistress…?" Makoto hated to propose it and the acidic words burned in his mouth when he spoke them, but he had no choice but to throw the option out there.
Thankfully, Haruka looked revolted by the mere thought. "Absolutely not. I don't want to be like that with anyone but you."
Makoto lit up like a lighthouse on a foggy night when the insinuation of that got through to him. Though it was a relief that they shared the same viewpoint, he wasn't prepared for Haruka to put it that bluntly.
The colour adorning his cheeks and the awkward look in his eyes made Haruka realise what he had implied, and he whipped his head down. Flustered, his face rapidly began to match the blanket beneath him, patches of red disrupting the monotonous white.
The idea of being like that with Haruka was not an appalling one, quite the opposite, and Makoto would be lying if he claimed he'd never toyed with those kinds of thoughts before. But, despite them already being engaged after no more than a week since their ingenuine first meeting, that was one step too far for Makoto just yet. If asked, he was sure Haruka would agree. They'd get there eventually, when the turbulent circumstances smoothed over and they got accustomed to spending their lives together, whether that be in Iwatobi or in Sano.
"Besides," Haruka continued after clearing his throat, "I'm sure my parents wouldn't be pleased to have a bastard as their heir."
The prospect of that was as much positive as it was negative. Positive, for hot bile crawled up Makoto's throat at the sheer concept, but negative because it was their only option. At least, the only option he was aware of at this point in time.
Strained silence wrapped around them as they tried to find an answer to this enigma. But the more Makoto pondered, the further he strayed from solutions and the more he could feel tears stinging behind his eyes. How he wished they were tears of joy.
This was another instance in which he longed to be a bit more like Nagisa. Despite the adversities he faced, Nagisa always seemed to be able to turn things around to his benefit. To guide the pieces on the chessboard to his victory even if no such outcome was in sight. In the most unconventional way possible, running away from home right before his departure to Iwatobi resulted in him being allowed to marry Rei like he wanted to from the start. If only Makoto had been born with that dash of luck, too.
At the very least, he wanted to live in the moment more, to bask in today rather than to worry for tomorrow. He'd been worrying and worrying for as long as he could remember, and he was done. For once, he wanted to let his concerns sail and celebrate; after all, getting engaged to the most beautiful person you'd ever met was something that deserved to be celebrated. Something to shout from the rooftops, or even just throughout the vacant town square like a song straight from his heart.
With his life being so work and family-driven, Makoto hadn't given marriage any thought prior to this whole adventure, much less the engagement that preceded it. If he had, he probably would have imagined it to be a waterfall of bliss, a feeling of unwavering happiness and love despite the somewhat unfavourable circumstances life rained down upon them. Never could he have fathomed it would be this bittersweet.
Haruka let out a loud groan, a deep rumble that startled Makoto from his reverie.
"Let's stop thinking about this for now," he said, dragging his hands over his face like he could rub the troublesome, conflicting feelings from his pores. "There's nothing we can do about it at this point, and I'm sure we'll figure it out eventually."
Forgetting about the upcoming strife with Haruka's parents was difficult, especially because Makoto had no part in it and could only wait while Haruka stepped up to the fight. But Haruka's gentle smile had healing properties, and the affection it emitted returned his hope. It locked up his fears for the future to let joy reign for the time being.
"You're right," Makoto said, and the corners of his mouth were tugged upwards despite himself.
"Now, let's get back to the part where you said 'yes'," Haruka muttered under his breath as he patted the ground around himself. "We got engaged but you haven't accepted your ring, so it's not official yet."
It wasn't until then that Makoto remembered the little box he unceremoniously catapulted out of Haruka's hand. "Oh, I'm so sorry," he said, and he frantically got up to search for the box too.
"Nevermind, I found it," Haruka said as he pulled it out behind one of the baskets. "Now, let's try this again."
Using their current positions to his advantage, Haruka got up on one knee and opened the box to reveal a gold band sitting within its velvety clutch. Makoto bit back a chuckle; it was more than obvious what Haruka was going to ask him at this point, yet the jittery butterflies that hatched when he first saw Haruka fluttered nonetheless.
The smile on Haruka's face was as sweet as ever when he asked, "Makoto, will you marry me?"
"There's nothing I want more," Makoto said, and he meant it with all his heart.
Haruka removed the ring from the box, which was left abandoned beside them on the blanket, and Makoto held out his hand so he could easily access his spread fingers. With care and grace, Haruka slid the ring in place and the metal felt cool against his heated skin, but not unpleasantly so. To top it off, Haruka pressed a kiss to his knuckles.
Laughter bubbled up from Makoto's stomach and he wanted to pull Haruka towards him, but instead found himself being pulled down until he was on his knees too. It didn't matter if they were standing or sitting, for their lips met in a tender kiss all the same. Somehow, it was like every kiss they shared was better than the previous one, and Makoto wasn't afraid to test this theory.
When Haruka ultimately ended the kiss, he rested his forehead against Makoto's and cupped his cheeks. Makoto opened his eyes and meeting Haruka's abashed but assured gaze made him feel like he was being submerged in the lake again. But there was no panic or fear this time. His breath was warm as it ghosted over Makoto's lips, and he was about to lean back in for more, but then Haruka spoke.
"Everything will be alright," he whispered, a vow so soft Makoto had to listen closely to make out every word. "As long as I have you; as long as we have each other, everything will be alright."
With the future being as uncertain as it was, that was tough to believe. Yet, because Haruka vocalised it in spite of his own reservations, because his eyes shimmered with such conviction, Makoto felt like it really was true. And with it, the fluctuating feelings that had him so divided finally settled. It would be foolish to forgo his doubts completely, but hope prevailed.
Pretty much every story had a happy ending, and Makoto believed theirs would, too.
"Thank you, Haru," he murmured and he captured Haruka's lips in another kiss that conveyed his gratitude as well as his adoration.
The goofy smile that surfaced like it always would when he was caught in Haruka's spell - which, nowadays, was often - made Haruka break away from their intimacy. He abruptly turned around and scoured through one of his baskets to ward off the blush that crept up to his cheeks.
"Time for dessert."
A chuckle of endearment welled up his throat, but Makoto didn't want to embarrass Haruka further so he swallowed it before it could boil over. While he waited for him to serve the delayed but no less anticipated dessert, he lifted his hand to take a proper look at the ring that embellished his finger.
In the light of the flickering candles, the band shone with beauty; beauty in its simplicity. There were no fancy details and the design wasn't particularly intricate either. It was a gold ring, plain and straightforward, just like him. Nevertheless, it was brilliant, crafted with precision and thought. A perfect fit in every single way.
A single glance betrayed the smith who had forged it, and that made the ring even more special. Equal parts baffled and touched by Haruka's thoughtfulness, he couldn't do anything but smile.
"Did my father make this?" he asked despite knowing what the answer would be, and the second the phrase rolled over his tongue, he gasped loudly. "Oh Haru, what about my family?"
He was such a fool. For the past eighteen years, his family had been his number one priority; the reason he got out of bed every dreadful day, why he fought so hard and why he sacrificed himself and his own well-being. And yet, one kind, handsome prince proposing to him was enough to sweep him off his feet and make him forget all about his dear parents and treasured siblings. Not once had he considered the consequences his decision would have for them when he knew damn well how his departure would impact their lives.
That was not even to mention how much he would miss them. He claimed he'd do anything to be with Haruka, but was giving up his family included in that anything? It certainly wasn't, but he didn't want to lose Haruka either. His greedy, greedy heart wanted to have them all, which made choosing between the love of his life and his beloved family an impossible feat.
His stupidity was immeasurable.
Fortunately, Haruka wasn't so ignorant.
"They can come too!" he hastily assured, "They can live with us in the palace, or if they don't want that, then a house will be arranged for them nearby. Or, if they don't want that either, if they want to stay here in Sano, then you can go see them as often as you want- well, not as often as you want, because we'll be very busy, but-" He halted when he realised he was rambling and his frenzy died out on his empty breath. In a quieter, more composed tone, he continued, "You don't have to worry about them. I'll make sure they get all the financial aid they need regardless of what they want to do and that you can see each other as often as possible."
That was enough to dissolve the huge burden on Makoto's shoulders and his posture relaxed as he sighed, "Thank you."
Now he was thinking about his family again, he got a bit unsure of himself, afraid of their reaction to their engagement. Although they hadn't been anything but supportive in the past, this situation was rather strange and frankly, a total mayhem. Compared to the three years of pining his parents went through before sharing their first kiss, the week Haruka and he had known each other was a mere first impression in their eyes. But his feelings for Haruka were genuine and true, and he hoped his parents would see that, too.
"I wonder what my parents would think about all of this," he mused, unable to keep his concerns to himself, "They nearly had a heart attack when they met you, so I don't know how they'll react to our engagement."
"I already talked to your parents," Haruka said, "I asked your mother if I could use your kitchen to prepare the food, so it would only be right to let her in on my plans. And I wanted your father to make the ring so I had no choice but to tell him. I did ask him for your hand first, though."
"Really?" Makoto asked in surprise because he hadn't reckoned Haruka would take the formal route. The two-course meal and the glimmering ring meant his parents endorsed Haruka's planned proposal to a certain degree, but that didn't erase his curiosity. "What did they say?"
Haruka smiled fondly. "They both said the same thing: that they would support whatever decision you'd make."
That was the response Makoto could have expected, but it was very comforting to hear nonetheless. He cared about his parents and their opinion so much, and the weight of their love pressed down onto his finger, encapsulated by the gold band. The ring was a symbol of Haruka's undying affection, but it was molded from his family's support. He would forever carry a piece of his five most important people with him.
Makoto grasped at the ring with his other hand and hugged it to his chest, close to his heart where his loved ones were safekept. An affectionate smile stretched his cheeks when he looked back at Haruka.
It probably wasn't traditional in Haruka's circles, but Makoto wanted this engagement ring to be his wedding ring too. How could there ever be a ring other than this one? "Did my father make you a ring, too?"
"No," Haruka said with a shake of his head and he held up his own hand, "I already have a ring."
Makoto squinted to make out the band that adorned Haruka's finger in the dim candlelight, and when he saw it was the one he made no more than a few days ago, he gasped. "Haru, that can't be your ring!"
Thin eyebrows furrowed challengingly. "Why not?"
"Because," Makoto mumbled, averting his gaze from Haruka's sceptical one. While he appreciated the thought because he did pour a lot of love into it, he hadn't made it with the intention for it to be Haruka's wedding ring. He wasn't so delusional that he found his father's goldsmithing work to be flawless, but it was leagues better than his own. Something his father created would suit Haruka so much more. "It's ugly. It's crooked and it has dents, like it's old and was made a century-"
"It's not ugly," Haruka cut him off sternly, almost insulted, "You made this with your own hands, so it could never be ugly."
"In that case, at least let me make you another one, a better one-"
"No," he insisted and he covered the ring with his free hand as if to protect it from Makoto's scrutinising stare. "This one is perfect."
"Perfect?" Makoto raised an eyebrow and many more protests formed on his tongue, but they all simmered down when Haruka smiled.
"Its imperfections are what makes it perfect."
That actually made Makoto's heart skip a beat. How could he object to that?
"Now, let's finally have dessert," Haruka said and he turned around to retrieve another lunch box from his basket, "Otherwise we'll still be here tomorrow morning."
Makoto chuckled. It wasn't a bad prospect, staying here with Haruka and talking until the candles burned up and the melted wax stuck to the arms of the candelabra, until they fell asleep in each other's arms underneath a blanket of stars. But dessert was no bad prospect either. "I could definitely go for some dessert now."
Although it contained no actual cherries, the large slice of chocolate cake was the sweet cherry on top of their even sweeter engagement. What it did contain was a thick layer of frosting and Makoto could almost taste the sugar just by looking at the droplets that trickled down the side. He couldn't wait to sink his teeth in it; mackerel and vegetables were great, but nothing beat chocolate cake.
"It's a bit different from the one we made and the one we got at the baker's stall, but I hope you'll still like it," Haruka said as he handed him a small fork.
"I know I will," Makoto vowed, and he didn't waste another breath before he dug into the chocolate mountain. No matter how many times he had it, it tasted like heaven every time. And the fact that Haruka took the effort to make it himself rather than buying it at a bakery only made it better. "It's amazing, Haru! Are you not having any?"
"I am," Haruka mumbled, reaching for the bottle of wine, "but I thought we should have a refill with the cake."
"Sounds good." Makoto hadn't adjusted to the alcohol's unique flavour yet, but he could never turn down a drink with his fiancé. His fiancé. The term alone reduced his insides to a mush of pride and giddiness. He was so blessed to be allowed to call Haruka that from now on.
His fiancé poured the wine into the cups, and once they both had one in hand, Haruka clinked the rims together. "Cheers!" he said, mimicking the way Makoto had earlier that night.
A grin teased at Makoto's mouth and he bit his lip to suppress it, but it was in vain. "To what?" he played along in their reenactment.
Haruka mirrored his expression, his beautiful eyes lighting up with glee as he diverged from the script.
"To us."
A/N: Thank you so much for reading and I hope you liked it!
A bit of "trivia" about the flowers in Makoto's bouquet; Haru chose hydrangeas because they're his favourite flowers, so they represent him, roses for Makoto, and the orange blossoms because they tie them together through their love. As for the flowers' colours and meaning (according to my google searches, at least, haha.)
- Hydrangea, pink: heartfelt emotion
- Hydrangea, purple: desire to deeply understand
- Rose, red: romance, love
- Rose, white: marriage, new beginnings
- Orange blossoms: marriage, eternal love
The next chapter is in the works and is still scheduled to come out on Rei's birthday (December 14th). I'm trying my hardest to make it happen, but forgive me if it's a bit late; there should definitely be another update of this fic before the end of the year, so I hope you'll stick around for that! :)
In the meanwhile, you can find me on Tumblr and Twitter at DatHeetJoella for more MakoHaru stuff in between updates. I often share snippets of the upcoming chapters/fics before they come out, among other MakoHaru things.
Thank you again for reading, I hope to see you at the next chapter but for now, I wish you a lovely day! ^^