I'm baaaaaaaaack! I know it's soon, but... I just couldn't resist posting this. It's too cute to let sit for too long. This particular chapter probably takes place far in the future, as I really can't see Japan legalizing same-sex marriage in the present or near future... but oh well. It's based off the word Husband. I hope you enjoy it!

It had finally happened. Same-sex marriage had become legalized in Japan, it being one of the first Asian nations to do so. Yao knew that his country had a long way to go in this endeavor, but this was close enough. He wanted he and Kiku to be wed from the moment they began a relationship- maybe even before that. All he knew was that they were meant to be together forever, and he thought it should be official. But no, he would not make a big deal out of it, nor would he beat around the bush. It only took two simple words.

"Marry me."

Upon hearing this, Kiku choked on a soba noodle. What a casual thing to say at the dinner table!, was his first thought, but those words were clouded by embarrassment. "W-what? Could you please repeat that?"

"You heard me, Kiku," Yao replied, a soft smile gracing his lips, "marry me. You saw the news yesterday, didn't you?"

"O-of course... in fact, I was at the meeting." The Japanese man carefully picked up another noodle, making sure to eat it before Yao had a chance to say anything else. "So... you are saying you want us to get... married?"

"Indeed." Yao's smile grew wider. "It's about time, don't you think?" At this, Kiku grew very red. His lover chuckled and took his hand. "Come now, Kiku. How long have we been together? It must be approaching a hundred years now, and we're both getting old. We're already bound by the string, but it's only visible to me. A wedding ring is much more noticeable."

Kiku's face grew even redder. "I-I don't know, Yao... marriage is a huge commitment, and the wedding could be expensive, and..." he let a long pause linger, considering the options. "... could I have some more time to think?"

"Sure," Yao's voice showed a bit of disappointment, but he masked it with yet another smile. For Kiku, he would wait forever.

Later that night, Yao found Kiku sitting outside, watching the moon alone, a hobby they normally shared together. He sat beside him quietly, admiring the night sky, until Kiku spoke up (to Yao's surprise).

"I thought about your question."

Yao braced himself for the worst. Kiku was unreadable, unpredictable. "And...?"

Suddenly, a wide smile broke out on Kiku's features; even small tears prickled at the corners of his eyes. "Of course," he said, "of course I will marry you. Nothing would make me happier. I was foolish to even consider rejecting. I would love to be your husband."

Tears of his own began to form in Yao's eyes. He couldn't recall a moment when his heart was beating faster, when he was feeling any happier. "Good," he said, pulling out a small box from the folds of his changshan and placing it in Kiku's hand. "Now I don't have to return this." Inside was a simple silver band, the characters 地久天长 engraved on the top. Kiku began to cry harder as Yao carefully slipped the ring on his finger.

"I-it's beautiful," he managed to spit out through tears, "thank you so much... I love you, I love you, I love you." Feeling the fatigue of utter joy, he fell into his lover's arms, the embrace gratefully returned. The smaller man continued to repeat I love you, still crying, as the elder stroked his hair and echoed his I love yous. They sat and watched the moon like this, holding each other like treasured items, until sleep came over them like a gentle wave.

When Yao says "We're already bound by the string," he's referring to "The Red String of Fate," an invisible string that connects soulmates. In my headcanon, Yao can see everyone's strings, and he and Kiku are attached, therefore soulmates.

changshan is an article of Chinese clothing.

地久天长, the engraving on Kiku's engagement ring, roughly translates to "enduring while the world lasts" in simplified Chinese, which is basically a way to say "everlasting love."

Once again, thanks for reading! Don't be afraid to drop by and leave a review! I hope I made you smile! :)