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A gradual warmth spread throughout your body as strong arms enveloped you from behind. You sighed from your spot, standing and staring out your bedroom window. You leaned your head back into Ichiro’s chest and breathed in his scent; even the first time you had breathed it in, it had felt comforting and familiar, just like Ichiro himself. It was like you had known him your entire life.
“What’s this about, Ichiro?” you asked, not pulling away from your position nestled against him.
You felt the hum of response in his chest. “Hmm...not sure, really. I just wanted to hold you.”
You felt your heart swell at his words. “I’m glad,” you grinned. “I missed you today. It’d be nice if we could hold each other forever.”
Ichiro laughed, resting his chin on your head. “I wouldn’t be able to get anything done, but...it would be nice, at least.”
Silence filled the room for another few moments. Your breathing synced, and Ichiro moved his arms to take your hands in his, squeezing them gently.
“Can you turn around?” he breathed. “I want to kiss you.”
You smiled softly and turned to face him, your breath catching in your throat when you did. Ichiro had always been attractive, but when he had that loving look in his eyes...it really took your breath away.
He moved your hands to grip his waist and pulled you in by the shoulders, leaning down to kiss you, very gently. The way his lips moved against yours; the way one of his hands slid up to cup the back of your neck; the way his scent surrounded you entirely, calming you, allowing you to forget any problems you may have had...it was so perfect. Ichiro was so perfect. If only for that moment, you were unafraid, because Ichiro had not only loved you honestly and selflessly, he had taught you to love yourself. And in return, you helped him learn to love himself, to forgive himself for his mistakes.
You pulled away, a dumb-struck smile on both of your faces.
Green and red eyes stared into yours. “[y/n],” he murmured. “I love you.”
You smiled, feeling your chest tighten. “I love you too, idiot,” you punched him lightly on the shoulder. “What are you getting all sentimental for?”
Ichiro laughed. “I just care about you a lot. There’s nothing in particular,” his gaze didn’t move from yours. “I feel like every second I’m with you, I can do anything, even if it’s just for that day. I want you to know how much you mean to me. I love you just as much as I love Jiro and Saburo, and I wouldn’t trade any of you for the world.”
“Ichiro...” you took each of his hands in yours. “I knew you were a hopeless romantic, but jeez...how am I meant to top that?” you laughed lightly. “I’m...I'm so in love with you. Seriously. More than anyone, I mean it. But don’t go around telling people that, okay?” you teased. “Especially not Jiro or Saburo. Or I’ll beat you to a pulp.”
“I’ll do my best.” Ichiro squeezed your hands in his own. You knew that meant he was happy; he’d do it occasionally while the two of you were holding hands while out somewhere, or when you were cuddling and he wanted even more contact (he was far more needy than he let across).
There was another peaceful silence as the two of you were at a loss for words. The love you shared was like a place each of you could return to hide in when the world simply became too much.
You were so happy to have met him, and no matter what happened, you knew you would love him for a long time yet. Ichiro was everything you’d ever dreamed of. You loved his voice, his kindness, his generosity, the love he had for his brothers, his passion, his eyes, his hair, the way he overreacted to absolutely every ridiculous plot point in one of those shows or light novels he loved so much...everything. He’d given up everything for his brothers to have a good life, and you wanted to give him the chance to live a good life too. He deserved it more than anyone else you knew.
“Ichiro,” you whispered, sliding your hands up his arms and pulling yourself back into his chest as his arms automatically wrapped around you. He was so soft and warm, and his smell was so comforting. He felt like home. “Ichiro, I have to ask you something,” you murmured into his shoulder.
“What is it?” he tensed a little. You felt his heartbeat speed up. He was nervous.
“It’s nothing bad,” you assured him. “But...I know this is a lot to ask, I just know that I love you, and at least for a very long time I know I want to be with you. I was wondering if it was possible for me to move in with you, y’know...permanently.” You took a deep breath, intending to continue. “I know it’s a big step, b-”
“[y/n],” Ichiro hugged you even tighter, moving a hand to stroke the back of your neck tenderly. “I would love that.”
You pulled away from him, a huge smile lighting up your face. “You don’t mind at all? I mean, you probably want your space and all, since you get such little time to yourself...”
“I don’t mind. I’ll always have time to myself, but with you? I value that just as much. I know it’s a big step, but I know we can make it work. You basically live there already, anyway!” you could hear the excitement building in Ichiro’s voice. God, he was just too cute. “Plus Jiro and Saburo really enjoy spending time with you, although good luck competing with them for a spot next to me on the couch!” he laughed, quite loudly this time. “Of course I want you to move in. We can share my room, and with your income added, I might be able to afford more nice stuff for my brothers. And you, of course!”
“You’re so cute when you get excited,” you said fondly, stroking his cheek. He leaned his head into your palm, staring down at you so lovingly it made your heart ache.
“This might be the best idea you’ve ever had!” Ichiro’s smile was so bright. It reminded you of how young he was, and how much responsibility he had taken on. If you could ease his burden even slightly...
“Well to celebrate my utter genius, can we cuddle on the bed? I’m getting a little tired and if I’m moving in we’ll need to plan stuff,” you pinched his cheek lightly, grinning as he yelped in indignation.
“Hey! What’d I do?!” he whined, but smiled all the same.
“For such a responsible big brother, you sure whine a lot,” you giggled, turning away from him to fall and plant your face right into the pillow on your bed. Ichiro joined you mere moments later, instantly turning you on your side with ease and wrapping his arms around you. He buried his face in the back of your neck, nuzzling it slightly as your legs tangled together. Your breathing slowed as the two of you lay there, silent for a while.
“Hey, Ichi?” you broke the quiet after a minute or so.
“’Sup?”
“Can you turn over, you great lump? I think I wanna hold you this time.”
Ichiro snorted and complied, turning back briefly to face you so he could plant a quick kiss on your forehead before positioning himself. You slid one arm around his waist, the other rubbing small circles on his back. You placed a kiss on the back of his neck in return.
“You might not think it, but I reckon you need someone to hold you too, sometimes, Ichiro,” you mumbled. “You should let others take care of you more. If you don’t let me, I’ll fight you. And I’ll win, got it?”
“...If you say so,” he smiled to himself. He really did love you so much. “[y/n], you really do take my breath away.”
You kicked his ankle gently. “That’s so cheesy! What light novel did you read that in? I know you got it from somewhere!” You pulled him even closer, wrapping your arms around him fully as he slid his hands to cover yours, squeezing them again. “You’re too cute, Ichiro Yamada. It’s dangerous.”
“Hmm...I think you’re cuter.” You heard the grin in his voice.
“No, you are,” you protested. “Although I can’t be too bad myself, since you said it,” you giggled.
This banter continued back and forth for some time. You continued your foolish lovers’ game, so unafraid of the future, as long as you had each other. For as long as you could, you would keep supporting Ichiro, and he would do the same for you. It had always been this way since you had met, and it would always be this way. That first time you had seen him, it was like you were watching in slow motion. He was beautiful. He was amazing. He meant everything to you. The one person you wanted to see happy as much as he wanted to see his brothers happy (which you would also love to see. They come as a set of three, after all). Ichiro Yamada. He really had taken your breath away.