A fluff prompt for my dear Ria :D
âźâË"I kept the porch light on. I always do when you're out late."
My dearest crOw!!! <3 Thank you for your prompt. Funnily enough I started working on it this week and then I was informed that it's your birthday today and decided that it's the perfect timing to induce you with some digustingly soft fluff.
Happy birthday and I hope you enjoy it!!!! <3
You can also read it on AO3.
Find the prompt list here.
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
Leave The Porch Light On
Shuuichi lets out a relieved sigh when he pulls into the path leading to the house peeking out between a narrow evergreen forest. It's small and cozy, with two floors, a wide veranda and a garden where he grows vegetables and flowers. After taking care of the Kudou's property, he's become fond of gardening and he's proud to present his crops to his partner who knows exactly what dish to make out of it.
When they first came here, Shuuichi was almost certain that they would just leave again. It was too far from the city, too quiet, too far off the grid. Not at all what they were looking for. They only considered this place because the price was too affordable to ignore even though both of them expected that it it would be falling apart at its seams.
The house needed a lot of work, that much was clear from the very moment they stopped on the overgrown parking lot and noticed the skewed window frames. The interior wasn't much better. It was obvious that nobody had taken care of the building for a very long time. Shuuichi was already planning to turn the offer down when he turned to Rei and saw his eyes shine for the first time since he had to quit his job.
One week later they started with the renovations and after a year they finally moved in. It has been the best decision they could have made. Rei enjoys working with his hands. He might spend an unreasonable time browsing self-renovation blogs these days, but Shuuichi is relieved to see him show real interest in something again. He also loves to see how the house they bought is slowly turning into a real home.
A home they're building together.
Shuuichi has no opinion about color schemes or fitting furniture, but he's always happy to let Rei order him around when there is a wall to paint or a shelf to be built. They work as well together as they usually do and he thinks that it's healing for both of them to create something beautiful instead of lying and killing for a change.
Shuuichi will do everything to ensure that Rei will never have to swap a brush with a pistol again in his life. His beloved has witnessed enough tragedy. He deserves to finally find peace.
It's still the greatest miracle that he is allowed to be part of that peace.
Finally, he reaches their front yard and stops his car next to Rei's white Mazda. Their parking lot is still a work in progress although Rei is already making plans for a garage.
He grabs the bag his mother pushed into his hands during their goodbyes. "Make sure he eats it," she told him gruffly. "I expect him to be here next week."
He assured her that Rei would appreciate it. It's her way to show she cares.
Shuuichi follows the path to the veranda and notices that the lights outside and in their hall are on. He checks the time with a worried frown. It's far after midnight. Is his partner still awake? Or did he fall asleep in front of their TV or over his phone again? It wouldn't be the first time he'd find him with his head fallen on a table or his body furled into the corner of the couch Shuuichi insisted to get them.
Sometimes he carries him to their bed, other times he simply settles down next to him, unwilling to wake him. All those years in constant survival mode have left Rei with a very complicated sleep cycle. Falling asleep next to each other makes it easier for him, but he struggles whenever he's on his own.
Today the house is quiet and the other rooms are all dark. Shuuichi slips out of his shoes and checks the ground floor. Rei's nowhere in sight, but he finds an used cup in the living room, indicating that he spent some time here this evening. He takes it to the kitchen and puts it in the dishwasher. His mother's food finds its way into the fridge where he notices some leftover congee. Good. It means Rei ate something.
He takes a last look around before he makes his way to the second floor. His steps seem to echo from the surrounding walls. Not that he tries to soften them, sneaking around would only alarm his lover. A soft light falls into the hall from the half open bedroom door.
Shuuichi's eyes find Rei immediately as he slips into the room. He's asleep on their bed, another purchase Shuuichi insisted on. Rei would have been happy with a futon but he prefers to not have to crawl up up from the floor each morning, especially when they're only getting older.
The night light on the bedside table has been Rei's purchase. Its color and brightness can be adjusted individually. Today it's a soft, orange glow, reminding him of the sunset. Rei lies on his side facing it and his tablet that is still playing a house makeover show.
Carefully Shuuichi nears the bed and stops the video, placing the device next to Rei's phone charging on the night stand. Then he reaches for Rei's forehead to check his temperature. It's still warm, but his fever is finally going down. That's a relief. He's been hesitant to leave him when he's sick but Rei insisted that he doesn't miss the weekly family dinner when he would only be resting the whole time anyway.
"I'm not dying," he assured him, his voice hoarse and his eyes tired. "Go meet your family. I promise to call you if it should get worse."
He didn't call and it didn't ease his worries at all. It's only now, finding him safe and sound in their bed, that some of the tension leaves his body.
Rei stirs under his touch and his eyes flicker open. "Shuuichi?" he asks drowsily.
"Shhh," he answers and lets his hand wander into his hair in a soothing gesture. "Go back to sleep. I'll be with you soon."
Rei mumbles something unintelligible and his eyes slip closed again. Shuuichi studies him a moment longer before he heads to the bathroom for his nightly routine.
Once he's done he checks their doors and windows before he kills the lights on the ground floor and returns to the bedroom. He slips into bed beside him and wraps his arms around him with a content sigh. The night light stays on. Only Rei touches it and decides if it's necessary or not. Shuuichi only needs to be with him to be content, but he'll accept everything that makes his partner sleep more easily.
Right now he is still awake if his breathing is any indicator. Shuuichi presses a kiss on his hair and informs him: "You left the lights on again."
Rei hums. "I always leave them on when you're out late. Don't want you to return to a dark house."
Shuuichi pauses, remembering a conversation from months ago where he offhandedly mentioned how he returned to dark, cold apartments for years. Back then it had been nothing but a random comment, insignificant as a whole and easily forgotten. But Rei heard him and understood everything he didn't say. How cold and lonely those years have been. How those places were only somewhere he would sleep. How he had been floating through life with the mystery of his father's disappearance as his only purpose.
The lights have started to stay on after that and there are usually some leftovers or noises awaiting him if not Rei himself greeting him with a warm smile.
Overcome with his fondness for this beautiful, brilliant man, he pulls him closer and nestles his face against his neck. "I love you", he tells him although love seems a too shallow word for everything he feels for him. Rei is his home, his family, the new purpose he's chosen for himself. He wants to share every second of his remaining life with him, missing his sheer presence whenever they are apart.
He would tell him if he didn't know that declarations of love overwhelm him. That's why he smiles when Rei turns to wrap his own arms around Shuuichi and buries his face into his chest, breathing him in. Physical touch has become his way to respond to words of love and Shuuichi is all too happy to hold him.
"How's your family?" Rei asks. His voice sounds better than during the last few days and his breathing is normal again. It's going to be difficult to convince him that he needs more rest from now on. Maybe he will be able to distract him with easy tasks or cuddles in front of their TV.
For now he needs him to fall asleep again. His voice often helps with that and he's happy to recount today's dinner. "They are all well and send their well wishes. They were worried when they heard that you're sick. Mother even sent you food. I'm going to warm it for you later."
"She didn't have to."
"Don't let her know you said that. She'd be heartbroken."
Rei snorts just like Shuuichi has intended. His mother is the last person to be petty about rejected food. "She said you should rest and get better soon. She expects you to accompany me again next week."
"High expectations."
"Always. Masumi probably won't join us. She plans to go on a trip with Shinichi and Hattori to investigate a cold case in Kamaishi. Something about a mysterious murder and an ancient curse. Apparently there are also some treasures involved. It sounded very adventurous. The residents will be disappointed once their great mystery is solved."
Rei answers with an undefined sound. His breathing is slowing and he feels him relax against him. Shuuichi starts drawing soft circles on his back with his fingers, soothing him more.
"Shuukichi thinks about taking a break from his matches for a while to go on another honeymoon with Yumi. She pretends not to need it, but I think she's looking forward to it."
He recounts other details about their conversations and some details he noticed about his family. He keeps talking until he's sure that Rei has drifted off again. Then he pulls the blanket over them and settles them both in a position that keeps them close but will be more comfortable for them during the night.
Although his body is demanding sleep as well, he stays up a bit longer to simply watch his lover's face. It's beautiful and peaceful, far off from all the things haunting him in every waking moment. He hopes that this house and his presence help him to forget them if only for a moment.
He thinks about the work that is waiting for him tomorrow. The spare room they plan to turn into an office needs to be painted and the cucumbers should be ready for harvest. Maybe he'll try to turn them into a salad. Rei complimented the last one he made and even finished the whole bowl.
He thinks about the tea he's going to make for him and all the ways he might get him to rest.
And finally he thinks about the ring hidden away under a loose floorboard and the question he's wanted to ask him since their first kiss.
Soon, he reminds himself. First Rei needs to get healthy again and clear headed enough to give him an answer. Then he'll take him out and spoil him rotten, just as he plans to do for the rest of their lives. And even if he shouldn't accept his proposal and it doesn't matter. He needs neither ring nor a certificate to be sure of their love.
It would be very nice, though.
