[ An easy thing about the household's transition from roommates to datemates was their bedtime routine. It was a little awkward at first, sure, full of nervous giggling and flushed faces at all the new implications, but Haruaki and Akira are nothing if not adaptable. The morning routine was much the same: Haruaki woke up first, and Akira sleepily trailed after him around an hour later.
Which is why it's strange when Haruaki wakes up to an empty bed.
Empty-empty. Hana isn't in her usual spot at the foot of the bed either. With the chaos of merging realities right outside their door that might be a frightening thing, but what Haruaki would notice isn't the sound of panic--or worse, silence. It's shuffling in the nearby kitchen, the telltale sound of pots and pans colliding while whoever's handling them is trying to be quiet about it. A normal soundscape for a normal morning.
...If the only other person in the house wasn't Akira, who's had the majority of his cooking practice in the months he and Haruaki have spent together. He tries for the sake of learning, but has never made anything more complicated than scrambled eggs for the two of them.
Still, should Haruaki come out and investigate, he'll see the small dining table fully set with a traditional breakfast. At first glance it's easy to see the fish is overdone, and the tamagoyaki is a bit misshapen, but Akira still beams bright and proud when he turns from his spot cleaning up the cooking dishes and notices who's up and awake at his usual time. ]
[ It is strange to wake up alone, especially today. It's the first birthday of his entire life that he's spent surrounded by anyone more than just his parents and Ame, and for weeks he's wondered on and off what it will be like. He doesn't want a big party, and he doesn't need any gifts. It would be enough just to be close to the people he loves... well, and if they wanted to wear sailor uniforms for a day, that wouldn't be so bad either...
But as soon as the sound of someone bustling about the kitchen reaches his ears, the strangeness takes on a new meaning, and Haruaki's springing out of bed. There's no grogginess to be seen, as ever. He's bright and bouncy as he makes his way out to see the full spread on the table, both hands coming up to slap over his cheeks, eyes huge and round and sparkling as he gasps and grins. ]
Akira-kuuuun! Good morning, good morningโ is this really all for me!?
[ He doesn't care that the food isn't perfect!!!! The gestures is so touching, he could cry!!!!!! He will cry in just a few seconds, in fact!!!! ]
Aaaaaall for you! [ Thankfully his hands aren't too busy with cleaning, so he can raise them for proper emphasis when he says, ]
Happy Birthday, Haruaki!!
[ Hana, who'd been loitering in the kitchen, seems to pick up on the energy and gives a whuff as she zooms to Haruaki's side, tail all a-waggin'. We're very happy about papa! ]
Instantly, fat tears begin to well up in Haruaki's eyes and his chin trembles. He should reach down to give Hana her good morning pets, but all he can do his wind his hands in front of his chest in a futile attempt at keeping himself together. He's very audibly holding back a veritable geyser of tears. ]
Th-thank you, Akira-kun, it's... it's the nicest thing a-anyone's ever done for meeeee...
[ Ope, time to immediately leave the sink. His hands might still be a little damp, but that's not gonna stop him from wrapping them around Haruaki without hesitation. ]
It's the very least I could do for you. Were we back home, with all the resources at my disposal, I'd be doing even more and it wouldn't even come close to evening out everything you've done for me.
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2/21 ๐
Which is why it's strange when Haruaki wakes up to an empty bed.
Empty-empty. Hana isn't in her usual spot at the foot of the bed either. With the chaos of merging realities right outside their door that might be a frightening thing, but what Haruaki would notice isn't the sound of panic--or worse, silence. It's shuffling in the nearby kitchen, the telltale sound of pots and pans colliding while whoever's handling them is trying to be quiet about it. A normal soundscape for a normal morning.
...If the only other person in the house wasn't Akira, who's had the majority of his cooking practice in the months he and Haruaki have spent together. He tries for the sake of learning, but has never made anything more complicated than scrambled eggs for the two of them.
Still, should Haruaki come out and investigate, he'll see the small dining table fully set with a traditional breakfast. At first glance it's easy to see the fish is overdone, and the tamagoyaki is a bit misshapen, but Akira still beams bright and proud when he turns from his spot cleaning up the cooking dishes and notices who's up and awake at his usual time. ]
Ah! There you are! Good morniiiiing! โก
no subject
But as soon as the sound of someone bustling about the kitchen reaches his ears, the strangeness takes on a new meaning, and Haruaki's springing out of bed. There's no grogginess to be seen, as ever. He's bright and bouncy as he makes his way out to see the full spread on the table, both hands coming up to slap over his cheeks, eyes huge and round and sparkling as he gasps and grins. ]
Akira-kuuuun! Good morning, good morningโ is this really all for me!?
[ He doesn't care that the food isn't perfect!!!! The gestures is so touching, he could cry!!!!!! He will cry in just a few seconds, in fact!!!! ]
no subject
Happy Birthday, Haruaki!!
[ Hana, who'd been loitering in the kitchen, seems to pick up on the energy and gives a whuff as she zooms to Haruaki's side, tail all a-waggin'. We're very happy about papa! ]
no subject
You made me breakfast for my birthday...?
[ One.
Instantly, fat tears begin to well up in Haruaki's eyes and his chin trembles. He should reach down to give Hana her good morning pets, but all he can do his wind his hands in front of his chest in a futile attempt at keeping himself together. He's very audibly holding back a veritable geyser of tears. ]
Th-thank you, Akira-kun, it's... it's the nicest thing a-anyone's ever done for meeeee...
no subject
It's the very least I could do for you. Were we back home, with all the resources at my disposal, I'd be doing even more and it wouldn't even come close to evening out everything you've done for me.