Late Night Rain
A brief daisuga one-shot (AO3 link)
The rain outside did nothing to soothe Koushi’s nerves. He usually enjoyed the rain, was able to sit down with a warm cup of tea, watching whatever new movie his students insisted he just had to see, cuddled up against Daichi. Daichi.
It was around 2:25 last Koushi checked and Daichi still wasn’t home. The loud sound of rain pounding against pavement made him nervous. What if he went to grab a drink with his coworkers? What if he’s passed out at some bar? What if his phone died? What if he can’t drive home? What if he got into an accident? What if he’s—
“Get a grip,” Koushi whispered to himself. “By the time I finish grading tests he’ll be home.”
He sent out one more message. Let me know if you’re okay. It was marked sent, but not delivered.
“Shit.”
Koushi sat and stared down the small pile of tests. He sighed, resigned, and began to grade. By the time he finished, Daichi still wasn’t home. He didn’t think he had the stomach to look at the hour.
He didn’t think he could go to sleep without knowing that Daichi was home safe. He made himself some tea, he paced, he checked his messages. He chanced a glance at the clock again, 3:37. The rain hadn’t let up all night, incessant and vehement.
“Where the hell are you?”
The door to their bedroom opened slowly, Daichi shuffling in quietly. His hair and shoulders were wet, his uniform already half off.
“Daichi!”
Daichi looked up alarmed, hands frozen at his belt. Koushi flew off the edge of the bed, throwing his arms around his infuriating husband.
“I’m sorry, did I wake you?” Daichi asked quietly. Hearing his voice dislodged something in this throat, tears stinging Koushi’s eyes.
“No,” he said, his voice wavering. “You kept me up, asshole.”
Daichi’s arms tightened around him. “Shit. I’m really sorry, Koushi. My phone died by the end of my shift, and I forgot the charger—”
“I know, it’s on the counter.”
“I should really keep it in the car,” Daichi mused, rubbing circles into Koushi’s back.
“Yeah, you really should,” Koushi let out a watery laugh, pounding Daichi’s shoulder with his fist. “Why weren’t you back earlier.”
“We got caught inside the station, it seemed too dangerous to leave,” Daichi said, pulling away to look at Koushi. “The more time passed, the less I wanted to be there. I didn’t want to spend the night at the station without you knowing. I drove back here as slowly as I could manage, I was terrified half the ride.”
“Why didn’t you call from the station?”
“I thought you’d be asleep. You usually are.”
“Still,” Koushi insisted, burying his face in Daichi’s chest, his skin cold. “Call, doesn’t matter the hour.”
“Okay,” Daichi agreed easily, running a soothing hand over Koushi’s hair. “I’m sorry I scared you. Please don’t be mad.”
“I’m too relieved to be mad,” Koushi said, and it was true. The tightness that had nestled into his stomach uncoiled when his body finally caught up with his head. Daichi’s home. Daichi’s safe. He straightened and pulled Daichi towards him, kissing his cold lips. “Go towel off.”
Even knowing that Daichi was in the other room, Koushi couldn’t bring himself to go to sleep. It was only when Daichi was crawling into bed with his sleep shirt and boxers and damp hair that Koushi finally relaxed. Daichi settled over him, elbows propped up by Koushi’s head, leaning down and peppering his face with kisses.
“Daichi,” Koushi giggled, squirming under his warm weight.
“Hm,” Daichi migrated his efforts to Koushi’s neck. “Do you forgive me yet?”
Koushi pulled his chin down and Daichi resumed kissing his face, making Koushi burst out laughing. “Okay, okay,” he managed, breathless. “Daichi!”
Daichi pulled away, with that stupid victorious grin of his that Koushi couldn’t resist, had never really wanted to resist. “Okay, what?”
“Okay, I forgive you,” Koushi breathed, wrapping a leg around his waist. “Just don’t do it again.”
Daichi smiled, and nodded enthusiastically, bringing his mouth to Koushi’s. Koushi sighed, digging his fingers into Daichi’s hair, pulling him closer. It was a different kind of relief, feeling Daichi’s weight shift above him, being engulfed by him, his smell, his taste, his sounds, the way he hummed against Koushi’s lips and breathed him in. It wasn’t just relief. It was peace. To feel how his best friend held him, loved him, doted on him. It was peace, one that could only be brought upon by holding Daichi close, knowing he was safe, feeling his heart pound in his chest.
They fell asleep to the sound of the rain, Daichi resting on Koushi’s chest, like a weighted blanket. Koushi drifted to sleep last, combing his fingers through Daichi’s hair, watching how his chest rose in soft snores. It was then that sleep finally crashed into him, like a gentle wave, the sound of snores and rain lulling him to unconsciousness. Peace.
