Work Text:
Mafuyu always enjoyed the late nights with his lover. The calm, serene mood enveloped the two as they curled up with one another in bed. It's everything Mafuyu had wanted and more.
In the cold of the night, huddled under the blanket by the fire, lay Ritsuka and Mafuyu. Their hearts had beat in sync as their breaths began to even out rhythmically.
Mafuyu had awoken to the cold, brisk air biting at his cheeks. It was unwelcoming, going from the warmth of his lover’s arm to the cold air. Mafuyu made due knowing that Ritsuka had promised to be back at the end of the day.
Mafuyu wasn’t mad about the loss of his fiancé, it gave him time to plan his surprise. Today was their anniversary, which evidently fell on Christmas; a couple’s holiday. A year ago today, Mafuyu had proposed to the love of his life.
Mafuyu wanted this day to be special, he wanted Ritsuka to feel as just as loved as he makes Mafuyu feel. With Ritsuka out, it gave Mafuyu just enough time to make it happen.
Mafuyu made quick work to clean up the place. Plates, trash, and blankets were put away as flowers, sweets, and lights got set out and hung up. It was just like how it had been when Mafuyu proposed.
Soon enough, the apartment had become a winter wonderland. Lights upon lights decorated the walls, giving a red, romantic glow, all the while flowers decorate the windows. The lights gave pops of color all throughout the place.
Mafuyu still remembered the day he proposed. It was a cold, snowy morning. Birds were chirping in the air as the snow fell. Mafuyu had been awaiting Ritsuka’s arrival back to Japan, returning from a trip to the U.S.
"Ritsuka? Have you gotten off the plane yet? " Mafuyu grumbled out, halfway awake and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Argh! No! There’s been a delay so it may be longer than I’d anticipated... " Ritsuka replied angrily.
"Are you at least off the plane?" Mafuyu asked.
Silence followed after as the faint sound of yelling could be heard in the background.
"Finally!” Ritsuka exclaimed. “Yes, I just got off, but there seems to be a good amount of traffic outside...I'm sorry Maf.”
Hearing this, Mafuyu deflated a little.
As if he had sensed Mafuyu’s disappointment, Ritsuka began to panic. "Wahh- Hey don't worry! I was able to get a car so I should b- shit! Mafuyu, I'll need to call you back. Traffic is a bitch out here."
"Alright Rikka, be safe,” Mafuyu responded. “I'll see you in a couple of hours, yeah?"
"Yes. I love you."
Mafuyu smiled before giving a quick “I love you, too” and hung up.
That memory never failed to make Mafuyu smile. He had spent the rest of the day planning and decorating the house, just like he was doing in the present, for Ritsuka's arrival. The wait was well worth it. Ritsuka had walked in the door all flustered and out of breath, only to become a sobbing mess when he found Mafuyu with a ring, ready to propose.
It was a memory Mafuyu hoped he would never forget.
Mafuyu wasted no time getting ready. Soon enough, he was out the door, ready to complete the last steps for his surprise.
Ruff! Ruff!
Mafuyu looked down to find a white ball of fluff bounding toward him. No matter how old Kedama got, he was always as energetic as he was when he was just a puppy. The dog was always ready to play and get in the way.
"Oh, you mustn't have eaten yet. Sorry, Tama! I'll get to it" Mafuyu swiftly made his way towards the kitchen, filling up Kedama’s food bowl.
The sound of kibble being eaten fills the apartment as Mafuyu tidied up the kitchen before making his departure. "Alright Tama, I gotta head out. If Papa gets home early, tell him that Dad is out and about." Mafuyu says softly, crouching down to pet behind the dog's ear.
With that, Mafuyu makes his way out the door to embark on his journey. First stop, the beach. It was a special place in Mafuyu’s heart. His heart, which used to hold sorrow, now held joy and many significant points in his life.
It was the place of his and Ritsuka’s many dates, as well as where they started dating.
No matter how much time has passed, he still remembered it as if it was yesterday. It was early summer-- just a couple of weeks after “Given's” first live performance, when the two boys visited the beach. Mafuyu could remember the joyous laugh he let out at seeing the water again, at the feeling of being alive again.
Ritsuka’s flustered face would always be burned into Mafuyu’s mind. The way Ritsuka had stood there for a good five minutes before coming back to his senses, only to be more flushed than before.
Ritsuka has grown since then, he had learned to accept Mafuyu’s expressions of love and affection without becoming a nervous ball of sweat. Mafuyu couldn't have been prouder.
The cold air nipped away at Mafuyu’s cheeks while he tried to bury his face in his scarf. It was a cold, snowy morning on December 24th. The beach was covered in a soft layer of snow while the water was completely frozen over, but that didn’t stop the seagulls from squawking or the couples from walking along the shore line.
Oh, how Mafuyu yearned to do that again with Ritsuka: to walk along the beach, hand in hand, while the sun shone down upon them. Alas, there never seemed to be any time to do so. With “Given” gaining popularity and Ritsuka’s family issues, the two never had much time to finally be able to get a moment to themselves; which is why Mafuyu was determined to make this day special.
Buzz... Buzz... Buzz...
The soft vibrations of Mafuyu’s phone quickly brought him out of his small daydream.
Twelve o’clock already? He's been at the beach longer than anticipated.
Picking up the phone Mafuyu was greeted by the gentle voice of Haruki. "Hey, Mafuyu! I just wanted to see how you're doing."
"I'm alright, Haruki-san,” Mafuyu answered, “I'm on my way to get a cake for Ritsuka and I's anniversary. Is everything alright with you?"
"Oh, uhm... well, I just wanted to...uhm..." Haruki paused, not sure how to go on.
Sighing, "it’s nothing, Mafuyu. You and Uecchi have fun, alright? Tell him I said hi."
"Mhm."
And with that, the call ended.
‘Weird…’ Mafuyu thinks to himself as he began to make his way towards the bakery.
It was a small bakery right around where he lives. Evidently- that bakery was Ritsuka’s favorite. The two would go there almost every other weekend to indulge Ritsuka’s sweet tooth.
It was where Mafuyu got the cake for his proposal...
"Hello?"
Mafuyu straightened himself up and quickly placed his order: one chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and strawberry drizzle, Ritsuka’s favorite.
As Mafuyu made his way back to the car, he couldn’t help but feel melancholic while looking at the cake. It was almost as if something is missing- or someone.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
‘Odd…’ looking down, Mafuyu noticed the teardrops decorating the cake box. Shaking his head, Mafuyu blinked the tears away and made his way back to the apartment.
By the time he got home, it was already nearing five o’clock. Mafuyu was greeted by the small yelps of Kedama as he came racing towards him, and the soft smile of his lover in the living room.
"Hi, Ritsuka," Mafuyu says, giving a soft smile in return, "it’s good to finally see you again."
Mafuyu went to the plate and lit the candle, quickly bringing it out to Ritsuka in the living room. He softly hummed the melody of “Hetakuso,” a song Mafuyu had written for his beloved, as he makes his way towards him.
"All right,t Ritsuka. On the count of three, blow out the candles. One… Two… Three!"
Ritsuka did nothing in response, only continuing to stare at Mafuyu while the smile still adorns his face.
One...
Two...
Three...
Tears began to fall down Mafuyu’s face as more followed, not far behind.
Oh...right, Mafuyu is alone. How silly of him to have forgotten.
"Happy...happy anniversary, Ritsuka. What I would give to be able to spend this day with you, to hold you in my arms, to sing you a song, to hear you play again. I thought about you all day. I just...I just want to be with you once more, Rikka."
Mafuyu still got no reply-- and never would. Uenoyama Ritsuka died a year ago today. On his way home from the airport, a driver crashed into his car, killing him and Mafuyu’s heart.
"You left me alone. You promised I'd never be lonely again, yet here I am. I'm just a fool with a gaping hole in his heart, aren't I?"
Mafuyu tried to steady his breath as the tears still continued to fall.
"Maybe I just don't deserve love. No matter how hard I try, the ones I love always die. Yuki died and now you. Please, Ritsuka. I can't handle this heartbreak."
Mafuyu squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block the world out.
"You left me with nothing but the bittersweet memories we had together… how unfair of you..."
Mafuyu let out a wet, broken laugh as he went to pick up a photo of Ritsuka. More specifically, a photo that was taken the day “Given” debuted.
"You were so happy in this photo, and I was too. Being on stage performing with you always made me happy… but I can't do that anymore… we can no longer play together. No more backstage kisses, or yelling at me for playing the wrong chord... God, what I'd give to just hear you speak once more. I miss you...I miss you so much."
Mafuyu continued to stare at Ritsuka’s photo, memorizing every soft edge and curve of his body and face, just in case he might have forgotten.
"I wish you could hold my face and call me stupid for crying alone..." Mafuyu says softly.
"I wish you were here, I wish you didn't leave me alone, Ritsuka..."
Mafuyu sobbed, "Merry Christmas and happy anniversary. I love you."