A Junjou Romantica fanfic for @romanticaweek Enjoy! :)
Feel free to read on A03 as well. (There's a bonus chapter over there!)
It was winter, and a light snowfall was softly flurrying to the ground. It was around Usagi’s birthday in March, and the snow was letting up now; spring was almost around the corner. The couple stood waiting for the Ferris wheel, a way to end the ‘date’ that Misak had been forced to take Usagi on. To be fair, when he had asked what the man wanted for his birthday the response, of course, was ‘You.’ Misaki figured if that was gonna be the response…he would oblige. He tried not to shudder at the thought, the conversation went something like:
“Fine! Since you only seem to want me, then I will do one thing of your choosing. Whatever you want!”
Usagi arched an eyebrow at that, “Oh?” He smirked. “You sure you can handle that?”
Which of course was followed by a stunned pause and some sputtering then, “Have at it! Do your worst!” Misaki exclaimed, doing his best to ignore the wave of heat that washed over his face.
Usagi stepped closer to him. “Well in that case. The one thing I want you to do is…” Misaki braced himself, “Love me.” Usagi pointed at himself.
“What?” Misaki deadpanned, “But I already-mmph!” He was cut off as Usagi’s lips touched his, the sudden kiss deepened and he felt strong arms wrapping around him, as cold hands brushed through his hair; his face.
It was a blur after that; consisting of a flurry of clothes, skin, kissing, and touching. Lots of touching.
Eventually, they had settled on going on a date to celebrate instead.
They were at the end of the date now, and they were ending it with the Ferris Wheel. Usagi seemed to like it, Misaki had learned. Though he couldn't quite fathom why… it's not like he had confessed his love to him on it once upon a time or anything…
Anyway, now they stood at the base and the wheel came to a stop for them. As they walked on Misaki could feel a hand on the small of his back, and there was a slight warmth of air that grazed his ear as a low voice sounded, “Watch your step.” He could hear the smile in his voice.
Now, they sat across from each other as the wheel started to slowly turn and lift them up in the air. Misaki had been on many dates now with Usagi since they met, a few of them had involved the Ferris Wheel. But this time was different. And Misaki was nervous. It had been a few years now since his brother had found out about their relationship. Since he had slowly come to accept it much thanks to the help of his wife.
It had been awkward at first, going on double dates where his brother's eyes would dart between the two of them, and he would tense whenever they showed any sign of affection towards one another. Gradually, he had come to relax about them a bit more.
Then there was the case of Usagi’s family. His obsessive brother, defiant father, and unhinged mother. They hadn’t exactly crossed that bridge quite yet when it came to sorting out that complex family dynamic. But there was still some growth there as well, which had become apparent when Misaki had sought them out a few weeks ago to discuss his…intentions.
***
“You asked to meet, Takahashi-kun?” Usagi’s father sat across from Misaki, one leg crossed over the other in their family living room. Usagi’s mother sat in a chair beside him, sipping her tea, eyes level on Misaki. Misaki sat up straight, and stared straight at her, hands clenched on top of his legs as he tried to hide how nervous he was.
“Um. Yes. Sir.” He still couldn't quite believe what he was about to say to both of them. Usagi’s father sat back, relaxing into himself as he eyed Misaki up and down, assessing.
“And how is my son faring these days?” His lover’s father asked. To which Misaki started to respond, “Usagi-Ah, Akihiko is...fine?” He squeaked. Usagi’s father had a slight smile at that, and cradled a finger to his temple, “I actually meant Haruhiko. I understand he still has...an admiration for you.” Misaki narrowed his eyes at that, unsure if he was being made fun of or not. “I...wouldn’t know.” He tried to keep his voice even. “But I think he may have...met someone?” He ventured, unsure of how much to say. There had been a period of time when someway, somehow Haruhiko had started to date Aikwawa, Usagi's editor, or so it seemed. Not that Misaki had anything to do with that...(*shameless self-plug here* see my fanfic regarding this couple here)
“I see.” Usagi’s father smiled, and Akihiko?” He finally asked.
Misaki took a sharp breath, “Listen, sir. I...understand you may have some...hesitative feelings towards me.”
He raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”
“Yes and I...wanted to meet you with you to talk about er, how um...” he gulped, “how serious I am. About your son. Usa-Akihiko. About...me...and him and er, our um...relationship?” His voice went up an octave on the last word, and he could feel the wave of heat that washed over his face.
“And how serious are you?” He leaned forward, suddenly interested. Usagi’s mother sipped her tea.
“Um, well, I...have....intentions...in mind, I suppose.”
“You. Suppose?”
“No, I...I mean...I’m sure. I want...there’s something I would like to ask you-regarding my…intentions…and, I hope you...I just wish for your...support. Not just for me, but for…your son....as well. For both of us. Our relationship. I...I’m sorry,” he breathed, hanging his head, “I...I’m not like your son. I’m not very good with words.” He looked down at his lap, clenching his fists, and let a beat of silence fall between them.
No matter how strongly you feel in your heart, if you don't convey it to the other person, it's meaningless. Usagi’s father's old words washed over him, and he felt his resolve harden.
Finally, he looked up, determination in his eyes, “However-” Usagi’s mother lifted her gaze and met his eyes, throwing him off.
He gulped as her gaze pierced through him but he carried on. “However,” he said trying to get his footing once more, “I...only wish for you to hear me out. I have....intentions...for our-my....relationship with your son. And wish to ask him something in the future, and I only ask that you hear me out and offer me-us…your...support and…” he sucked in a breath, “I ask for your blessing.” The parents looked at each other before looking back at him. Misaki waited with bated breath for their response.
***
“Did you hear me?” Misaki jumped slightly as he was brought back to the present. Remembering his conversation with Usagi’s parents from earlier hadn’t helped; only made him more nervous.
“What?” He asked, to which Usagi cocked his head to the side and eyed him up and down.
“Are you feeling all right? You’re acting...strange. Which is unusual, since you normally say that about me.” He leaned forward, a look of concern on his face as he reached a hand up to Misaki's forehead. Misaki knocked it aside, but not before he felt a wave of cold against his forehead, helping to calm his nerves.
“I’m fine,” he insisted, as a wave of warmth flowed throughout his body from the aftermath of being touched. He looked away, out the window of the Ferris Wheel, trying to avoid looking at Usagi’s eyes. He tried to breathe, in and out and in and out. He could do this...he could do this..he could do this...
“My father called me the other day.” Oh, no. “Said the strangest thing. Something about you going over to meet with my parents? Voluntarily? Why on Earth-”
“It was nothing!” Misaki blurted, trying to catch him off track. How much had his father told him? “I mean...um..what...what else did he say, exactly?” He asked, trying to assess the answer.
Usagi shrugged, “Just that, really. That you met with them, had a heart to heart and...” he leaned back and gave a soft smile, causing Misaki’s heart to flutter. His gaze never wavered as he stared at Misaki as if he was the only thing that mattered in the world, “said he...wanted me to be happy.” He looked away, out the window at the snow that was gently falling towards the sparkling streetlights down below.
Misaki's eyes widened at that, heart jack-rabbiting in his chest. Did that mean...what he thought it meant? “Oh,” he said, unable to help himself at the realization. A feeling of relief washed over him then and he knew. He knew he could do what he brought Usagi here for...and that everything was going to be all right. He knew that from his father saying just those simple words to his son, that he was finally being accepted by him.
“Um, listen, Usagi-san,” he started. Then stopped. He could do this…he could do this. “I…there’s something I…have been wanting to ask you….for um, a while now…” He trailed off, his voice breaking. Face flushed, he stared down at his lap and clenched his hands into fists in front of him.
Usagi tilted his head to the side, “Oh?” He arched an eyebrow and gave a small smile.
Outside the snow started to fall and he experienced a sense of déjà vu. Memories flickered in his mind. It had been snowing like this on another fateful night, underneath a streetlamp. When he wished to be important to a special someone and had not yet known the reality of a wish that was beginning to coming true. He remembered then, another memory washing over him, the warm tug of a scarf being placed around his neck and looking up to a loving face while being called small before stepping onto the wheel. And those three simple words that he had uttered in an even and calm tone. The smile on Usagi’s face as he stared out the window, much like he was doing now. And the feel of a heartbeat traveling between the warmth of their hands clasped together.
He had been calm then, when he had admitted his true feelings for the first time. He could be calm now.
He tried again, staring ahead at his lover, mustering up all of his courage to ask his lover an important question.
“Usagi-will you-”
“What’s with that?” He cut him off, looking pointedly…downwards. “What’s got you so excited, all of a sudden? Is this your way of confessing to me? That what you actually want right now is my-”
Misaki blushed and his eyes widened in surprise and he looked down again, before blurting out and cutting him off, “That's just something in my pocket! I swear! It’s not like that!” He looked down, “I er umm you see this is…”
Usagi laughed and cocked his head to the side, “Oh? If I didn’t know any better I’d think that you were just about to ask me….” He paused, his eyes lit up with amusement, and he brought a finger to his chin, thinking.“Oh, ho, tell me, Misaki, is that a ring in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”
Silence.
Misaki’s face quickly became cherry red.
Then, he gulped and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small black box.
Usagi’s eyes widened in surprise. All amusement from them vanished.
“This is um er well…”
He sighed.
“What I wanted to say was….I know I’m not very good at words like you are or saying the right thing sometimes. But I just want…to…stay by your side. Forever. And there is…one thing I can say. To hopefully...make that happen. So…um.” He sat up straighter and looked straight ahead. “U-Usagi-san. I…I love you. And want to stay with you, forever. So. Will you-will you marry me?”
He shut his eyes tightly and held out the box, opening it to show the ring inside.
He waited. The only sound was the slight creaking of the wheel cart, that had now stopped at the highest point on the wheel. (Misaki had bribed the worker to give their cart extra time at the very top while he proposed).
Slowly he opened one eye, then the other. He looked at him, waiting for his response.
First, it was shock. That’s what crossed Usagi’s face. Then, it slowly changed to a calm and adoring expression.
Misaki's heart flip-flopped in his chest.
“Pfft,” He covered his smile with his hand, looking away to hide his outburst.
“Hey! Are you making fun of me?”
“I would never! I just never expected this. You’re always surprising me. That's why I love you, Misaki. Loving you is my everything.”
“Is-is that a yes?”
“Do you even have to ask?”
Well, yeah. Misaki thought to himself, That was sort of the point.
Usagi leaned forward and took Misaki’s hand in his. Usagi’s hands were warm now, for once, and Misaki felt Usagi's thumb brush over the back of his hand, sending a wave of pleasure through him.
“All, all right then.” Misaki smiled sheepishly, looking away before he burst from embarrassment. “I-here,” He pulled away, grabbing the ring from the box and holding it out for Usagi to take. Usagi smiled and shook his head.
“Put it on me,” He simply stated, flicking his wrist forward, holding out his hand. Misaki paused, then sighed. Misaki knelt down to one knee in front of Usagi and slowly slid the ring onto Usagi's ring finger.
Engraved on the front of the band were two teddy bear heads (resembling Suzuki-san), along with a heart that was in the middle and overlapping them. Words had been engraved on the inside as well. They read, “this year, next year, the year after, and all the years after that.”
As Misaki finished sliding the ring completely on his finger, Usagi leaned forward and reached a hand up around the back of Misaki’s neck, pulling him to him, and kissed him as Misaki kneeled down in front of him. Usagi felt him tense in surprise, then relax into it as he had slowly started doing the more he got used to it over the years. He deepened the kiss, and Misaki let him. Finally, they pulled away and Usagi brought his forehead to his, hands holding the side of Misaki’s face, his thumbs caressing his cheeks. Misaki glanced up at him from underneath his eyelashes.
Finally the last prompt!!. One of my favorite moments, it's just so adorable. (If you wandering why the clothes colour is different cause I used different shading colour. One is red and one is green TwT)
Okay, so legit don't know what to draw. There's a lot of ideas that my friends gave me but I just can't draw it. So here's a quick sketch just to catch up with the prompts. I promise next prompts will be more interesting.
