"This is nice," Aburatsubo said with a happy sigh, leaning his head against Takeo's shoulder.
He was wrapped up behind Takeo, sitting comfortably atop the broom. They had gone out for a leisurely flight, making lazy laps over the city and the trees passed the city limits with no real goal to reach. They hadn't gone flying for just the enjoyment of it for a very long time, having been thoroughly distracted from his suggested the last time he'd made it all those months ago.
He couldn't believe all that Takeo had done for him. It had been hard to keep himself from jumping across the table and smothering the beautiful young man with kisses as they'd eaten the candle-lit dinner. The food had been excellent, the entire atmosphere of the restaurant romantic as soft music had played in the background as they'd shared quiet conversation. He could only imagine how long his boyfriend had saved up for a meal and while Aburatsubo would of been just as happy if they'd gotten take-out he was incredibly touched by Takeo's thoughtfulness. It made the day even more as special as it was supposed to be, to know that Takeo had worked hard for it.
It had actually been when he'd received his gift that Aburatsubo had insisted that they take the flight. He'd opened a moderately sized box to find a robe within, a few shades darker than his hair, with a cape that was presently swirling behind him. There had been matching a matching belt, shirt and pants. They might of been old-fashioned outfits, but Takeo had slipped golden ribbon along the edges and decorated the back of Aburatsubo's robe with his chosen symbol which gave the clothing a fresh, light appearance. He'd even somehow found the chance to moderate Aburatsubo's hat so that it now matched his new outfit.
He'd been even more surprised and touched when Takeo had pulled out a matching outfit for himself, made of whites and blues. He loved his gift, and it meant even more that Takeo had gone through all that effort to make a matching one for himself.
Putting them on had been like a momentous moment, even if they were just clothes. It made him feel like a true mage having the comfortable layers over his body, flowing with his movements, giving him a sense of maturity with his magic. It also increased the sense of unity he felt with the other, that they'd made these changes together. It made today all that much more special.
They hadn't been without their problems. Aburatsubo wasn't so idealistic to think that, despite the fact the most difficult steps were behind them, there wouldn't be more in the future. Even after the day that they'd succumb to their desires and touched each other for the first time, it had taken a while for Takeo to feel secure enough in himself to repeat the performance. Although they'd done such things often now, it had still been a while before either could initiate the moment without blushing or feeling like a perverted teenager, to realize that it wasn't just hormones driving them but a deeper desire to bring pleasure to one another.
It had also taken several months before Takeo had felt sure of the person he'd become. Aburatsubo could still remember the first time a snide comment had been made, the way Takeo had tensed and flushed. It wasn't very often that someone held a strong enough prejudice that they would actually say something, but it still happened on occasion. Now, Takeo could let the comments flow off his shoulders without giving the person even the slightest satisfaction of a reaction, as though nothing had been said at all.
There would still be issues to deal with, like the frustration of trying to schedule dates around their university classes and jobs. One day they might move in together, and there would be a whole set of things to work through with that. There was also the fact that they would never be able to get officially married, or have children of their own, and the fact that their respective parents would need to accept that. He didn't know how Takeo would feel about that, once they moved into the stage of the relationship where both knew it would last for ever.
If it even did.
Aburatsubo knew, in himself, that he would never be able to find someone else that he loved so completely. He could never imagine finding this happiness with another person, and had been certain since the moment he'd laid his eyes on Takeo that this was the man he wanted to spend his entire life with. Still, it was commitment that neither of them had ever talked about, and Aburatsubo didn't know exactly where their relationship would go. He had no doubts in his mind that Takeo loved him, today as any other day had proven that all the more, but it was an entirely different thing to know it for a fact that they would be together for the rest of their lives.
Aburatsubo broke away from his thoughts when he felt their path change, Takeo leading the broom down into a small clearing in the trees below them. "Takeo?" he asked inquisitively, his fingers pausing in their idle play with Takeo's ponytail.
"I want to talk to you about something, and it wouldn't work to have you sitting behind me," his boyfriend replied mysteriously.
Aburatsubo's brows furrowed, wondering what Takeo was talking about. His brain happily supplied several different ideas, which he quickly pushed aside. With all the surprises Takeo had given him today, he shouldn't assume anything.
Given the last trail of thoughts, however, Aburatsubo felt a slight fear settle into him. It was stupid, he knew, to think that Takeo might want to break up with him. Why in the world would he go through all of the effort for such a remarkable half-year anniversary if he was just going to break up with him afterward? That obviously wasn't it, but Aburatsubo found that it was almost unbearable to have to wait until they landed before he found out what his boyfriend was thinking.
Still, he kept himself composed as they slipped off the broom, setting it to the side as they settled themselves down onto the ground. "This spot is beautiful," Aburatsubo commented, letting his fingers trail over the soft grass. It was surprisingly thick, despite the only slight break in the trees above.
Takeo nodded, smiling at him as he took Aburatsubo's hand in his own. Aburatsubo felt himself relax, giving a mental shake of his head at his foolish thoughts. Whatever it was, it wasn't a break up.
"I thought it would be a good place," Takeo replied. "I used to come here to think, when I wanted to be alone, and I thought it would be ideal for us to talk privately. We're in the middle of no where."
"What did you want to talk about?" Aburatsubo questioned, leaning his head against Takeo's shoulder.
The other hesitated, bringing his free hand up to trail through Aburatsubo's hair. "I wanted to ask you something. About when we're in university. I thought, maybe, you'd want to get an apartment with me," he finally replied.
Aburatsubo pulled away, staring at Takeo with wide eyes as an ecstatic thrill went down his spine as he had to force himself from pouncing on the other. Takeo blushed when their eyes met. "Well, I mean, it's just that it would be easier for both of us. Like, sharing the rent and cost of food. And then we wouldn't have to struggle around our schedules and -"
Aburatsubo put his fingers over Takeo's mouth, laughing. "I'd absolutely love to," he stated.
Takeo grinned under his fingers tips. "Great! I wasn't sure... I mean, it's a big step, you know. But I want live with you, be able to see you every day and all of that."
The taller youth couldn't stop the wide smile from stretching his lips, his heart picking up a beat as they leaned in for a kiss. It never ceased to amaze him, he thought, whenever Takeo made such gestures. It didn't matter how big or small or how many times they'd done them before, he would never grow tired of it.
And now they'd be living together!
The thought almost made him dizzy with elation, although the heat of Takeo's mouth against his own had him well on the way too. He'd wondered when they would take this step, and he was over joyed now that it had happened. The two of them spent almost every spare minute with each other anyway, but this would be entirely different. They would really be partners, in all sense of the word.
After a while they stopped kissing, and Aburatsubo returned his head to Takeo's shoulder. "Not that I don't want it with all my heart, but are you really sure you're ready for that?" he asked.
He felt Takeo nod. "It will be nice, to sleep every night with you and to wake up with you in the morning. I know it will be a lot different from spending the night at the other's house, having our own rooms and space. But it's becoming more and more difficult to fall asleep without you in my arms, and I know I won't regret it."
Aburatsubo let the sense of happiness wash through him, marveling again on how open Takeo had become with him. It was hard to believe there had even been a time when Takeo would of shied away from saying such things, to the point of not saying them at all. Both of them usually still blushed when they revealed such personal details about their desire of the other, but the fact still remained that they talked about it much more easily than before.
"I feel the same," Aburatsubo revealed, letting his mind wander as he spoke. "It's hard to sleep alone in bed after having experienced your warmth beside me. I don't think I've ever slept so well as I did on those nights. We can find a nice apartment near the university, something with a restaurant close by so we can go out for dinner. They have lots of student housing near there, places that are nice and not too expensive."
"Um, there was something else I wanted to say too," Takeo said once Aburatsubo's voice had trailed off, shifting them so that they were facing each other once again.
This time he looked even more shy than he had before, and Aburatsubo frowned curiously as he studied his boyfriend's face. After a few moments Takeo took a deep breath, visibly preparing himself as he took Aburatsubo's hands in a firm grip.
"I'm ready," he stated, a flush working along his cheeks. He didn't take his eyes away from Aburatsubo's, despite. "I've thought about it more and more lately, and I want to share that experience with you. I want to show you that I trust you completely and that I... I can take the submissive position."
Aburatsubo felt heat work through his skin as Takeo spoke, understanding exactly what Takeo was referring to. They'd never done something like that before, but he knew that it could be a remarkable experience from things he'd heard. He'd thought about it often, despite the fact he had promised Takeo that they would never do such a thing unless he was prepared. It could feel like complete vulnerability, and Aburatsubo knew that some men, even those most comfortable in their chosen sexuality, never felt comfortable with it. The thought that Takeo would offer such a thing, it made Aburatsubo shiver with excitement.
He couldn't help but be disappointed too.
"No, you're not ready," he replied softly.
Takeo gave him a look of startlement and hurt. "What?" he stammered, staring at him.
Aburatsubo shook his head, hating the look of pain he'd caused but knowing that he had to do what he had to do. "You're not ready yet, thinking of it as submitting. Something like that should be shared loved and pleasure, never a sign of dominance and submission. You won't enjoy it, Takeo, and I know you won't, until you learn to think of it as only love making, no matter which role you play. It's like saying 'I'll be the girl', which is derogatory because we're both men and always will be. Both of us deserve better than that, and it would never mean all that it could otherwise."
He saw as understanding came to Takeo, and the two of them sat quietly for a few long moments, their hands still joined. Aburatsubo firmly tried to regain control of his self, his nerves still charged with the thoughts that had come to mind. There was no way to deny that he wanted it, but he would just have to wait. Even if that meant it never happened at all. He was strong enough that he could deal with that disappointment. Takeo meant too much for him to make a fuss over something that, once you came right down to it, was just a different way of doing what they already did.
"I want to bring you that pleasure."
The words were spoken so quietly Aburatsubo nearly didn't hear them. He looked up at Takeo, his eyes widening at the determination he saw on Takeo's face. "What?" he asked, disbelieving his own ears.
Takeo looked at him with a steady gaze. "I love you, Aburatsubo. Enough to bridge that final gap. I want to spend the rest of my life in your company, talking with you, sharing with you, loving you. I want to experience that pleasure with you, and show you that I trust you with my soul, my heart, and my body. I want to be with you that way, whether I said it in the wrong way or not. I want to have a real future with you as my boyfriend, my partner, and everything that entails."
Aburatsubo's breath caught as he saw the raw honesty on Takeo's face, the firm certainty that didn't waver even once. "You really mean it, don't you?" he couldn't keep from asking.
Takeo took Aburatsubo's face in his hands, and pressed a kiss on his lips before pulling away and gazing at him with that same hard look. "I have never been more certain of anything. I want to share every experience with you, whether it be just sharing a meal, taking a flight, or even something as big as this."
Aburatsubo pressed his lips together tightly, but couldn't stop from crying out, pulling Takeo against him in a tight hug. "I can't believe you would love me this much," he breathed.
"You'd better believe it," he heard Takeo reply as he slipped his arms around Aburatsubo's shoulders. "I love you more than anything, Aburatsubo, enough to over come any fears or doubts. I love you enough to share every part of my self with you, soul or body. I love you with every part of my heart, and I always will."
Now and forever, as I grew to know you, I learned that it was you who is the most important to me.
The End
