The marble of the bathroom floor is cold against the soles of your feet when you step inside, but the air is hot and steamy as the shower stream slows before halting altogether.
Water droplets trickle down Sae’s pectorals to the ridges of his abdomen as he exits the shower and wraps a towel low on his hips.
His teal eyes meet yours expectantly, following your hand as they reach for a comb and scissors.
Large hands wrap around you as he hoists you up onto the sink, sliding down to spread your thighs as he stands between them.
His bangs were dipping below his eyebrows, brushing the long lashes that shielded his sharp gaze.
It was time for a cut.
His nose scrunched when the cold metal of the blades grazed his forehead, small tufts of mauve hair falling down as you snipped away.
He wouldn’t deny the fact he enjoyed being pampered, it was just something he didn’t ask for.
He stayed perfectly still, watching your usual small frown of concentration pull taut on your lips.
Your breath was warm on his face, and something in his eyes softened when you leant in to get the perfect cut.
Your fingers were delicate as they brushed the excess hair off his features, his own reaching up to wrap around your wrist.
His hand tugged yours down, moving it aside as he leaned in and kissed you slowly.
It was deep and grounding, the same way he always kissed you whenever his heart was beating a little too fast- as if that was enough to possibly calm its rate.
It just made it worse.
When he pulled away, his gaze flickered behind you- directly to the mirror.
“Tch. It’s lukewarm.”
He muttered, referring to the line of his bangs.
“That’s how you always have it,” You whisper, a gentle reminder.
He dragged a palm through the strands and let the damp hair fall back onto his forehead, a quiet sigh dragging from his lips.
He grunted softly before pulling you closer, finding your lips again.
CONTEXT: married to itoshi Sae with him waking up to the twins needing extra care at midnight
it was around that night, maybe a vivid 2-3:01 am; when itoshi Sae woke up to the most ear piercing wails he's ever heard
scrambling the duvets and tugging it next to you whispering that he'll handle the twins this time as he makes his way to the nursery room, he's heard 80,000 people chanting his name and the shouting—we can't forget that.
Nonetheless, the loudness can't compare to his two little bundles, (twins) of course he loves them unconditionally, in a way that any father would.
except for one thing; that he has a habit of being around them while grumbling under his breath muttering that the two are annoying to be around with
which by the way, when he's asked 'Do you love your kids?' he'd give that reporter an roaming eye head to toe as if he's assessing their worth to ask 'such a thing' "Of course I do, what makes you think that?" he'd reply back
when he finally reached the nursery, the first thing he notices are the two flailing their fists into the air while wailing their lungs out
thinking that 'Are they hungry?' or 'Did they wet themselves?'
he scooped the two and began rocking them, more like bumping them up and down and making the two bawl— he genuinely didn't know what to do
"Stop crying. it's a waste of oxygen."
murmuring with a hushing tone, trying his best not to wake you up and take care of the two when he doesn't want you to be the only one doing the work
but still, since it's his first time being a father of two, he had to discreetly buy and read a book about parenting or anything related to taking care a newborn; maybe not a newborn
grabbing the bottle next to their cribs and feeding the first twin as he tries to calm the other
soon enough; the wails had turned into a whimper and sniffles, Sae thought to himself that he'd done a good job before he gently but slowly place the bundle inside the crib
and then heard the crying again, and the two—of course copy pasted the other, he couldn't help but rub the bridge of his nose in exasperation
but seeing you lean on the doorframe was definitely the last thing he wants to see after whispering 'Go to sleep, I'll handle the two.'
"Why aren't you sleep yet?"
"Nothing, it's just that I'm still hearing a little crying; maybe you need a little help"
he pauses, looking at the twin stirring in his arms then back at you— he spots that mask you put on when tired, but still pulling yourself up, he doesn't want that
"The crying stopped 5 minutes ago, you're hearing echoes because you're exhausted. go to sleep."
you curve a smile , the one that reaches your eyes, walking over and wrapping your arms around his waist from behind, pressing your cheeks against his shoulder blade
"I'll leave you to it then."
when you finally left and clicked the door close, he opened the book that was propped against a cardboard box, this time following the instructions on how to rock a baby to sleep properly
and finally after a few 30 ish minutes, he finally got the last twin to sleep; brushing the baby hairs on their forehead before leaving
rewinding the time when someone suggested a caretaker—he wouldn't hire one to do the job, the idea never passed through his mind, knowing well he'd rather be exhausted taking care the twins than hand them to someone he doesn't know
a/n: I like the idea of him being a father of two 🥹✌️ I MEANNN
me non non's claiming this fic as yours chugging it to ai ect kaitris3
#aftercare | NSWF, heavily implied sex, established relationship
You stood in front of the mirror with hair that stood off your head, going in all directions, tears dried on your face and bruised lips.
"You look a mess" Kaiser said from behind you, arms crossed in front of him and only standing in gray sweatpants.
"And whose fault is that?", you snapped back, throwing your underwear in the washing basket, while shooting him a glance.
A shit eating - and way too handsome - grin, spread across his pretty mouth. "But you did enjoy it", Kaiser said as he turned away to go let water flow into the bathtub. "Shit, I know I did," he murmured, before straightening up and looking at you.
His gaze had softened, staring at your naked body. Your legs were slightly shaking, with grip marks all over your swollen thighs and hips, while your perfect and bouncy boobs were covered in hickeys and bite marks from his former abuse on you.
"Aww, my perfect baby," he cooed half mocking half serious, extending his arm to wrap it around your waist and pulling you flush against him.
"Kaiser let me go, I wanna take a bath" "Yeah sure sure", he mumbled, obviously way to busy covering your face with kisses and grabbing onto your ass cheek like a man possessed. "Man, you are just too pretty", he groaned, letting go of you.
You rolled your eyes, trying to downplay how his affection made you feel, by avoiding eye contact. "Also, you're gonna pay back that dress you ripped open" Kaiser chuckled, as he started taking his sweat and boxers off aswell, joining you right after you went in. "I will, princess"
Your back was pressed against his muscular chest, while his arms were wrapped around your waist, of course his hands were already on your boobs, occasionally softly squeezing them.
You felt your eyes grow heavy as your body melted into his huge and warm one. "Süße, do you wanna order something? I am starving to death"
After you two had eaten delicious fried sushi together on the bedroom floor while watching brainrot streamers, you were so fucking tired it felt like you had spend the day doing a Ronaldo workout.
That night you went to bed nice and full - in both senses - while your super hot boyfriend was holding you pressed against him, giving you a feeling of safety.
when you first moved in, it took sae months to adjust to how lively his house had become.
how his bland and unadorned penthouse was now filled with your belongings, your warm lamps that you bought because you hated the white lighting.
the beautiful lace curtains that now covered the rows of exposed windows. fluffy blankets that complemented his crimson couches, filled with soft and decorative pillows that you adjust in a very particular order. pictures of you and his wedding photos, your bright smile bringing life to his once shallow and empty house.
your vanilla perfume that trailed behind you all the time, slowly seeping into the fabrics of your furniture.
not only did he have to get used to your undeniably amazing taste in decoration, but also your inability to sit peacefully in a messy house.
sae wasn't one to maintain a messy house—he in fact, always made sure it was clean. but he had a horrible habit of tossing clothes on the floor and keeping dishes in the sink, unattended for days on end due to his exhausting schedule.
which inevitably turned into your first fight now that you shared a domestic lifestyle together, as you constantly told him to fold his clothes and do his part of the dishes.
eventually though, things settled down as the two of you finally made agreements on chores, as he finally got used to just how much life you brought into what he called home—just how much light and joy you brought into his life all together.
the penthouse became his escape, not just a place for him to sleep and eat, but a place for him to wind down, a place he sought comfort in knowing you'd always be there—always there to embrace him and smother him with your undying love.
then came your kids.
suddenly, itoshi sae found himself having to get used to the sound of your child's cries in the dead of night—the creaky rocking of the crib as he lulled her back to sleep.
your cries of overwhelming joy as she took her first steps and spoke her first words, "dada."
she always seemed to have a preference towards her father, a preference he never thought would fade.
as she turned three, the house was suddenly scattered with toys everywhere, piles of outgrown baby clothes in her room, and stocks of baby food in the fridge, as she still refused to eat anything remotely crunchy.
what was once just you and him was now a family with a little baby boy on the way.
the second was easier.
sae was now used to the constant pooping and cries; he'd get up in the middle of the night no questions asked, telling you to go back to sleep with no groans or complaints.
sae now no longer had the luxury of waking up to his alarm; instead, he would wake his ten and seven-year-old jumping in the bed, begging for breakfast eagerly.
he no longer had the luxury of coming back to a quiet home; instead, he came back to a house filled with chaos and children's laughter.
something he never knew he'd relish in.
sae was now used to this life, no longer being on his own; he was now surrounded by love, by support, a system he could fall back on if something went wrong.
something he never knew he'd lose—until that night—he never saw a future without you, a future where the death of his lover and only son would be his fault.
it was normal night, he was driving back home after dinner with his parents, his hand on your thigh as the kids argued in the backseat.
soft music played from the radio; he couldn't help but smile.
sae had never felt so fuffilled in his life, like he was actually worth something. like he had so much to look forward to.
and then for a moment—just a moment—sae got distracted, turning his head to the kid as their argument grew, telling them to shut up and deal with it later, and when he turned… it was too late.
all he remembers is you yelling his name, the last thing he ever heard from you, and the collision of the crash; he lost consciousness for a moment before his eyes opened, the loud sirens blasting into his ear as he turned. he remembers the way your head was thrown back—the blood that gushed out.
he desperately tried to shake you awake—the tears in his eyes as his head whipped back to check on his children, the sudden movement sending a shock of pain through his body.
fate is a funny thing, isn't it?
he remembers when you once asked him if he believed in it, and he brushed you off, telling you it was a silly thing.
but now, sae could only laugh.
how fate decided that he would be the one to survive, not you.
the warmth of the home sae spent years getting used to was gone—just like that.
the years he spent pining for you, loving you, being married to you, and raising kids with you—gone like they'd never even mattered.
no, it couldn't be that simple.
fate couldn't be that cruel.
he couldn't be that undeserving of happiness.
now, sae had to adjust to life that had been sucked out of his home.
his crimson couch somehow duller.
wedding photos that once adorned the walls gone because he couldn't bear to look at you.
warm lamps that once made the home welcoming; now unplugged and replaced with his old white lights that filled the house with a sense of melancholy.
your perfume stored away in a box as your scent slowly faded off the fabric of the furniture.
the only remembrance that you had once been here being your personal belongings that sae couldn't quite get rid of, stored away in boxes.
your daughter constantly locked away in her room—somewhere she wouldn't have to look him in the eyes for him to know that she blamed him for all of it.
the house was quiet, empty.
sae was never there; your daughter always returning back to an empty house with only leftovers in the fridge.
the tv that once used to make a home in a living room where a mother and her children would support their football player father through the screen, now empty and lifeless.
itoshi rin will never admit that he’s always the one chasing after your lips when you two are making out. you’d pull away to catch your breath, and he’d mindlessly follow after, oxygen the last thing on his mind.
sometimes you’d tease him—moving your head from side to side, leaning forward just to draw back before your lips make contact, enthralled with the way his head desperately follows after with parted lips and shut eyes. he’d snap his eyes open when it hits him that you’re playing around, glaring at you with flushed cheeks. then proceeds to use a rough palm to bring your jaw to him, crashing his lips back onto yours—successfully wiping the smirk off your face.
itoshi rin will never admit that he follows you around like a puppy when you’re cooking. even with a stoic face, he’s constantly hot on your heels, always perching a hand on your waist as if your trip to the stove extended beyond countries. you’d chastise him when you almost burn him while moving hot pans around. and he’d simply stay silent, giving you perhaps an inch of space, only to repeat the cycle all over again two minutes later.
itoshi rin will never admit that he’d run through his head your schedule first before making plans. you just got off work and his team wants to go for dinner? not free. he needs to buy new clothes and groceries? well that’ll just have to wait until you need to run errands too. his manager wants to schedule him for a photoshoot and interview? too bad. pick a different day because that so happens to be your day off as well. eventually, his team starts going to you first before attempting to make plans with him.
“i thought you were booked for today?”
“no, plans changed. can we stop by the mall later?”
“but wasn’t today the only day you could—”
“not my fault that i’m busy.”
itoshi rin will never admit the way his heart lightens almost instantly when you text him, immediately stopping whatever he’s doing to respond. those around him would know it’s you that got his attention through a mere phone screen. it’s the only logical explanation, because his notoriously cold gaze would only ever soften when you’re involved.
hiii :33 have you done girl dad reo before?? maybe girl dad kaiser but when the kid goes to sleep he highkey makesout with us no smut tho cuz you’re a pussy
⋆ ୨♡୧ ⋆ kaiser ver ! ( suggestive/smut )
“and then, the princesses in the castle lived happily ever after. the end.” your husband read in the most bored, monotone voice ever while your two girls began drifting off to sleep in their little twin beds “why do we even read them these stupid fake stories. we should tell them stories about us before they go to bed so they can dream about how amazing we are” he whispered while rubbing his thumb over the back of your hand
you two always stayed back just a little longer after bedtime to watch your toddlers sleep. not just in case they wake up, but because they’re absolutely adorable when they drift off to bed “i’d rather they dream about princesses than papa verbally abusing his teammates” you mutter back, leaning your head on his shoulder “okay. let’s go now. bedtime is over” your husband smiled, suddenly picking you up bridal style to your bedroom
“michael, at least warn me when you’re in the mood. you know we can’t do anything when they’re sleeping, you always get too loud” you tease, your finger trailing down his chest before he tossed you into bed and crawled over your body, caging you in “that was one time! it’s usually you who can’t keep your smart little mouth shut” he scoffed, taking the joke personally like he always did. hearing about how he rarely loses control hurts his fragile ego
you giggle, your arms snaking around his neck and pulling his head down “mm, oh yeah? if you think i’m too loud then shut me up won’t you?” michael being michael, he gladly took you up on your offer and crashed his lips against yours. it was loud enough to wake the girls up with the way he was groaning and huffing into the kiss “baby— be qui— quiet!” you whine in between kisses. michael only got louder, taking things a step further and moving his hand up your shirt while the other occasionally squeezed your ass
the two of you continue this nasty makeout session, letting it get hotter. michael’s hand had reached down from out your shirt to sneakily pull your shorts down, just enough so he could see the wet spot forming on your panties “wet already? just from kissing? god, we do this all the time and still surprises me how fuckin’ easy it is to get you ready” he taunts you, rubbing his thumb over the spot before moving your panties aside
“mmh…micha, wait, the girls—“ you whisper, tucking your head to the side as you let him slip one digit in and then another. “you can stay quiet for me won’t you? maybe just for once in you fucking life, you’ll keep that loud ass mouth shut when i fuck you, hm?” he teases you, moving his fingers aggressively and curling to hit that special spot “you moan like you haven’t taken my fingers before, no idea what’s wrong with you today” he smirked, watching as you squirmed and squealed as you finally came undone all over his hand
“more…want more” you gasp out, laying limp and watching him suck his fingers while slipping down his pants “of course you do” he sighed, acting as if this was a core. just as he was about to align himself with your pussy, you hear the tiny pattering of both your daughters feet outside the bedroom door. the two of you groan in sync and begin cleaning yourselves up, preparing to have the two ruin your night for the 4th time this week “im never letting the condom break again, just so you know. don’t want any more of those things” michael whispered, helping you pull your shorts back up before he went to open the door
“yes girls? what’s wrong now, papa read you a bedtime story and everything” he frowned down at the two who were clutching their stuffed animals “wanna see mama…” the younger one pouted, already walking through under his legs and crawling up the bed while her sister followed. “no- no don’t get in bed…” but it was already useless. they were already snoring in between michael and you and they wouldn’t move
a / n: chat my friend riya requested this ok and she likes smut and she’s nasty so i had to deliver…this was a humiliation ritual. ion even like kaiser so i made him mean
+*. summary: you say youre fine, but your sneeze’s and coughs say otherwise. and sae decides to do something about it.
+*. cw: none | sick and overworked reader and a very worried sae.
+*. a/n: this idea has been rotting in my drafts so i have decided to finally finish writing it. sorry if it might be ooc ! hope u enjoy <3
you were sitting at your desk, frantically typing on the keyboard as you try to finish your work as soon as possible. you felt your body burn up, and there would definitely be waterfall flowing out of your nose right now if you weren’t plugging them with tissues.
as the cold season comes around, you never fail to get the flu and a fever. it’s been happening ever since you were a child, but you never paid much attention to it. you never let it bother you; you would just ignore it until it leaves your body on it’s own.
sae itoshi was in the living room, observing his opponents on the big TV screen. he noticed that you seem more groggy than usual, but you brushed it off and he left it alone.
“achoo!” you sneeze once.
“bless you,” he whispers.
he continues to watch television.
you sneeze again. “..bless you.” he says louder.
before he could unpause the TV, you sneeze again.
sae’s eyebrows furrow. “you okay?” he calls out to you. “yep. don’t worry!” you happily reply to sae.
shrugging it off, he took the remote to continue observing.
“…ACHOO!ACH—CHOO!” you sneeze not once, but three times in a row.
that’s it.
sae drops the remote and grabs a box of tissues on the dining table. then, he gets freshly washed blankets and storms to your bedroom.
as he entered, he saw the horrible condition you were in. back hunched like a shrimp, tissues crumpled and all over your desk, as you stick two new tissues in your nostrils. you notice his presence and turn back to look at him, giving him a weak smile.
“what’s up?” you ask.
“what’s up? are we just going to ignore you sneezing 500 times in a row?” he questions, picking up the tissues and throwing them into a trashbin nearby.
you chuckle, “you’re exaggerating. i only sneezed a few times,” you explain. “don’t worry about me, sae. this is normal. im all good.”
but sae wasn’t buying it one bit. his heart felt heavy seeing you in such bad condition, but you’re not taking it seriously. you’re someone he absolutely cares for, and seeing you in this state made him upset.
you turn back to continue doing work, but sae stops you from doing so by spinning your chair towards him. your eyebrows raise in confusion but he didn’t give you any time to process before picking you up bridal style.
“sae! what are you doing?!” you yell out, a giggle escaping your lips.
“giving you the rest you deserve,” he declares. you swing your legs to try and escape and he holds you tighter. he places you on the bed and stares into your eyes. “don’t move.” and of course, you listen.
“sae, i need to finish my work. it’s important.” you click your tongue, but snuggled yourself with your teddybear. “your health is more important, love,” he says softly as he wipes your forehead with a cold wet towel. you flinch at the sensation, but it felt nice to your burning body.
you couldn’t help but smile at sae. he’s not the type to openly say ‘i love you’, but you can clearly tell he does by his actions.
he continues his aid by wrapping you in the blanket he brought over, and placing a damp towel on your forehead. you immediately felt better than before, and you could feel the soreness going away slowly as you sink into the bed.
he pats your back as he looks at you, wrapped up like a burrito
“what?” you ask him.
“nothing.” he says, getting into bed next to you. “you look cute,” added sae.
your cheeks warmed up more than they did before, and a smile crept up on your lips. you turn to look at him. “thank you, sae.” you smiled. you have never been the type to care for yourself since you’ve been so busy with everything around you. but having sae around and having him care for you made your heart feel full and cared for.
“don’t you dare do anymore work until you’re not sick anymore, okay?” he asks you, his finger caressing your cheek slowly.
☀︎ a/n — part of my you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love series :) find it here !
☀︎ word count — 2.1k
☀︎ content — sae itoshi x fem! reader, model! reader, established relationship, rumors abt reader, cheating mentioned once or twice, alcohol and drug use mentioned, not proofread.
☀︎ synopsis — You had your own career, your own friends, your own life. You should've been perfectly capable of entertaining yourself. But somehow whenever Sae left for away games or training camps, the entire apartment seemed to lose its color.
── ☀︎ that's just the thing that happens when my baby goes away !
The rumors started sometime around midnight.
You only found out because your manager texted you three screenshots of some sort of news article and the words
Mngr: Don't read the comments.
So, naturally, you read the comments.
itashifan44: Definitely cheating
saeitoshitoelicker: Sae's never home. What a hoe
bigbouncyballs: girl left the party early because she got caught
baroubaroukyun: She looks high as hell
You stared at the comments on your phone, then at the spoonful of ice cream in your hand, and then back at your phone.
You were wearing one of Sae's old hoodies, your hair looked terrible, and you hadn't left the apartment in three days.
"...What exciting lives they think I lead." With a sigh, you tossed your phone onto the couch cushion beside you while the television continued playing in the background.
It was some modeling competition. Nexx Top Model or something.
You weren't exactly sure what it was because, truthfully, you weren’t really paying attention. You knew there was a contestant who was crying because her photo shoot score wasn't high enough, but even that wasn’t interesting enough to keep your mind off of how the apartment felt too quiet.
It always did when Sae was gone, but you hated admitting it.
You had your own career, your own friends, your own life.
You were successful enough that your face was plastered on billboards and magazine covers.
You should've been perfectly capable of entertaining yourself.
But somehow whenever Sae left for away games or training camps, the entire apartment seemed to lose its color.
The silence became so loud to the point you jumped at every little noise, worried somehow someone had broken in while you’d been right in front of the door. The bed became so big you felt like it might swallow you whole. Everything around you felt just a little emptier.
It was embarrassing, honestly.
Every time he left, he gave you the same instruction, "Don't stay inside all day." As if you were a house cat!
And every single time you'd tell him, "I won't." Which was a complete lie.
Because whenever he wasn't home, all you wanted to do was wait for him to come back.
Because if you were inside, then no one could make up some story about you, and lo and behold when you'd actually listened to him for once, the rumors now on your phone stirred up once again.
Weeks ago your agency had hosted a huge party.
A networking event with all sorts of sponsors and designers being invited. Models, influencers, and celebrities were all in attendance. This was the kind of event that was supposedly important for your career, and yet you'd wanted to skip it.
Sae had been leaving for Spain that morning.
You remembered standing in the airport terminal while he adjusted the hood of your sweatshirt, "You should go." he said, as calm and stoic as ever.
You groaned, "I don't want to."
"You never want to."
"Because they're boring."
"They're important for you." You narrowed your eyes, hating how sophisticated he looked and sounded.
His mouth twitched into what could be perceived as almost a smile. Almost.
"Traitor." You huffed, glaring at him as if he really had betrayed you. "Go to the party."
You crossed your arms, "No."
He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss against your forehead, completely ruining your ability to stay annoyed, "Go."
And because you were weak for him- and definitely not because he called you and all but scolded you on staying in - you went.
Which, from the moment you’d stepped in the door, you’d known was a big mistake.
The second you'd arrived, you wanted to leave.
Music pounded through the walls. People were crowded in every room. Champagne flowed like water. And there were enough suspicious substances floating around to make you nervous.
You spent exactly an hour there.
One, singular.
You talked to a few friends and took pictures with sponsors like you were technically “supposed to.”
You smiled for cameras and pretended to enjoy yourself. Then the second the clock hit on the hour, you escaped.
You remembered slipping out the front door, relieved to be free of that terrible place full of terrible people and utterly ready to go home.
But nothing was ever simple in your life, apparently, thanks to a paparazzi photographer that had been waiting outside.
Within minutes, the headlines appeared:
MODEL CAUGHT LEAVING MYSTERY HOME AT MIDNIGHT
As if. No, not even just as if! As if you'd have the energy for an affair! As if you would cheat on the Sae Itoshi! And as if you would ever let yourself get caught if you were !
You barely had the energy to wash your makeup off after shoots, and these people think you have the brain power and energy to have a whole double life? You wished.
The second you'd gotten home that night, you'd called Sae, ignoring the time difference between the two of you entirely.
Your phone rang once. Twice.
Then with a soft click, Sae appeared on your screen.
His hotel room was dimly lit.
His hair looked damp, probably fresh out of the shower considering he’d definitely just gotten out of practice.
The sight of him immediately made your chest ache.
"There she is."
You rolled your eyes, "Hello my amazing, awesome, loving boyfriend."
A small pause, and with an amused smirk on his face, "Hello, Ms. Cheater."
You gasped, "Sae Itoshi." His expression remained completely serious, "How's your affair?"
"You quit that."
"The mysterious lover treating you well?"
"You're not funny." You shoved your phone against the bathroom counter before beginning your skincare routine.
The entire time you complained.
About the party and every random drug and drink that was offered to you.
About your agency who let rumors and lies spread about you for ‘good publicity’ instead of fixing it.
About the paparazzi who just had to sell the ugliest picture of you out of all the ones they’d taken.
About the headlines where your name was never mentioned- only known as Sae Itoshi’s girlfriend. You had a name goddamnit!
About the comments that people left because at this point, they were so unoriginal and unfunny that it hurt.
Truly, you complained about literally everything.
Sae listened quietly, occasionally humming in agreement and nodding along, and sometimes you’d catch him looking suspiciously amused.
You changed into pajamas, brushed your teeth, washed your face, and put up your hair…all while complaining to the man over the phone.
By the time you finally crawled into bed, nearly thirty minutes had passed and Sae had barely spoken, simply opting to listen to you and your problems.
You settled against your pillow, exhausted when he did finally speak, "Did you have fun?"
You stared at him like he’d grown a second head, "Sae Itoshi."
"Hm?"
"I just spent thirty minutes talking about how much I hated that place."
He nodded, "Right." You desperately wished he was besides you so you could give him a good smack, "So obviously I didn't have fun."
A laugh escaped him and you immediately felt your annoyance weaken.
Damn your traitorous heart.
"You're awful."
"So I've been told."
You sighed.
For a moment neither of you spoke.
You simply looked at him, memorizing him through the screen.
The shape of his face. The color of his eyes. The way his hair fell over his forehead.
God. You missed him.
And it had only been two weeks. Two stupid weeks! Yet somehow, the more you thought about it, it felt longer.
"I miss you." The words slipped out before you could stop them.
The teasing smile disappeared from his face.
His expression softened just enough for you to notice, "I miss you too."
Your chest tightened, "When are you coming home?"
"Soon."
"Soon isn't soon enough."
"I know."
You pouted and the mildly sad moment was gone because all Sae looked was amused again, "You'll survive."
"Will I?" You groaned.
He smiled, nodding along to your dramatic whines.
Suddenly everything hurt a little less.
Only a little, but it was enough.
Enough to get through another day without Sae by your side. Just talking to him reminded you that you loved him enough to wait. You could definitely keep going until he came home.
The thing that scared you wasn't the distance, you understood the distance. Afterall, Sae was a professional athlete and travel was part of the job. You'd known that from the beginning.
What scared you was how much you missed him.
Because you'd dated before. Not many people, but enough. And not in any one of those relationships had you ever felt this way.
Never.
You'd never heard a joke and immediately thought:
I need to tell him.
You'd never seen something cute in a store and wanted to buy it because someone specific would like it.
You'd never reached across a bed and felt disappointed when nobody was there.
You'd never missed someone so much that entire parts of your day felt incomplete.
It terrified you.
Because what if it never stopped?
What if you spent the rest of your life feeling this way whenever he left?
What if that was just what loving Sae meant?
Being with him made you happy and you were so loved, but you were also simultaneously missing him every second he wasn't there.
You weren't sure, but you thought about it often. Especially on nights like this when you were alone in your apartment, curled beneath blankets and listening to the distant hum of city traffic.
Waiting for a man who made your heart ache even when he was across the world.
Three weeks later, you were lying on the couch.
Again.
Exactly where Sae told you not to be.
A blanket cocooned around you while you binged another episode of that modeling show played on the television. Not that you were paying attention, no, you were scrolling through old pictures of Sae.
Pathetic.
A key turned in the front door and you froze, the sound barely registered at first. Then you heard the door open and your heart stopped.
No. No way.
You shot upright.
The suitcase was the first thing you saw. Then his pink hair. Then familiar teal eyes that you loved to look into.
For a second neither of you moved. Neither of you spoke.
Sae looked tired, travel-worn, down right exhausted, and somehow still the most beautiful thing you'd ever seen.
The blanket fell off your shoulders.
"Sae?"
His expression softened immediately. And that was all it took before you practically launched yourself off the couch, crossing the apartment in seconds.
His bag hit the floor as you crashed into him, arms wrapping around his neck.
His arms immediately circled your waist, holding you so tightly that you almost couldn't breathe. Not that you cared. He could suffocate you just like this and you’d be thankful. His face disappeared into your hair, taking deep breaths.
You felt his shoulders relax, like he'd finally stopped carrying some invisible weight.
For a long moment neither of you spoke, neither of you needed to.
You just stood there holding each other and making up for weeks apart.
Eventually he pulled back slightly, just enough to look at you.
His thumbs brushed your cheeks, "You look tired." You scoffed, "You just got off an international flight. You look worse."
A rare smile appeared.
God, you'd missed that smile.
You stared at him. Then stared some more like he’d disappear if you looked away for too long.
A frown filled your face and Sae raised an eyebrow, "What?" You buried your face in his chest again, "I really hate when you leave." The confession slipped out before you could stop it. "I know it's your job and I know it's stupid and I know you'll always come back but I still hate it." The words were muffled against his shirt.
You felt him rest his chin on top of your head. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer than usual, "It isn't stupid."
Your eyes stung unexpectedly, because when you told anyone else this they’d say you were silly for thinking like that, "You think?"
He nodded, rubbing his thumb under your eye to catch the few fallen tears, "I know so."
You squeezed him tighter, "You've ruined me Sae Itoshi,” you sighed. "I didn't use to be like this."
A small laugh vibrated through his chest before leaning down to press a kiss to your lips, then your temple, then the tip of your nose. And suddenly every lonely night felt worth it.
Because he was here.
Home.
And for the first time in weeks, the apartment didn't feel empty anymore.
