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Chris released a breath as he slowly began to wake up from the sound of rain pouring outside their window. Rolling over, he moved his hand to the spot where he presumed his partner would be but was only met with a cool feeling and the spot vacant.
Chris slowly began to open his eyes, blinking a few times to rid the blurriness from his vision before he truly was able to see that the other side of the bed was indeed empty.
Letting out a sigh, Chris turned once more to look over at the nightstand where the digital clock rested and saw the numbers 6:37am glowing red in the dimly lit room. Chris rested on his back as he stared up at the ceiling for a moment before closing his eyes, listening to the downpour outside with some of the raindrops pelting the window pane quite harshly.
When he opened his eyes and tilted his head in the direction of the window, the grey curtains that covered them let in what little light there was outside this morning despite the rainstorm that was currently going on. Chris finally began to move bringing his legs off the bed and shivering slightly when his feet touch the cold dark wood floor.
It’s starting to get cold, we might need to turn on the heater. Sooner rather than later. Chris grimaced as he left the warmth that the blanket provided when he stood up. Never really fond of the cold, as he’s always been more used to spending the winter months in -the warmer states of- America but he does not hate fall either. He just feels it is a reminder of the colder weather that follows.
He moved towards their dresser and opened up one of the top drawers where he found most of their casual shirts folded neatly, his on the left and his partner’s on the right. Chris chuckled to himself as he thought back to the times his partner used to be so disorganized. Now look how far he’s come..
Putting the shirt over his head and then his arm through their respective holes, Chris pulled the long sleeve shirt down over his pj pants and walked over to the curtains. Pulling them back, he finally got a good look at the rainstorm the was occurring outside.
The tree in their backyard had a mix of green and orange-red leaves as the seasons changed but right now were completely drenched and swayed with the wind. The clouds were dark but not enough for anyone to think it was still nighttime, and besides; people have places to be and people to see.
Lucky for us though, we have the day off. And the entire weekend for that matter. A small smile graced Chris’s lips at the thought before he let go of the curtain and turned around to exit the room. Now to find my husband.
Takigawa Eijun, the name alone made Chris’s smile grow as he thought of his spouse of 3 years and partner of 11 years as they have been dating since the end of his time at Seidou. The long-distance relationship was definitely the hardest time for them but Eijun always made the biggest effort to keep in contact with him even if it was the most trivial things like asking what Chris had for breakfast or telling him how the weather was in Japan. Chris had always felt bad that Eijun was practically the glue holding them together in those times, but Eijun never complained and mentioned that he was truly satisfied that Chris even responded to those texts.
As he walked down the hallway of their second-floor toward the staircase, Chris thought back to the surprise he gave Eijun when he graduated. It was a surprise enough to Eijun that Chris returned for their graduation, though nobody from his year group nor Miyuki’s were going to miss seeing their kouhais graduate from Seidou.
The biggest surprise though was telling Eijun he was moving back to Japan to finish his schooling there, and just so happen to be going to the same University as Eijun. It worked out perfectly since they both had to work their way up to first string on the team, leading to the best two years of their lives with their much awaited formed battery.
Chris was immediately drafted for the Yakult Swallows after he finish his schooling, and two years later Eijun was lucky enough to follow suit. The team had heard about the battery and how they dominated college ball, having only lost to the Miyuki-Narumiya battery twice.
It’s now been 7 years since Chris has been playing as the main catcher for the Swallows, 5 year for Eijun as their main pitcher. Chris has plans to retire in the coming year or two, but Eijun wants to play for as long as his body lets him. This was a discussion they had both talked about in full and fully supported each other’s decision but not without Eijun being disheartened with Chris possibly leaving so soon. While Chris was worried about Eijun pushing his limits, but that’s just how they were.
Chris descended the stairs and as he turned the corner, a fond smile formed on his lips as he leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. There Eijun sat on a stool, sitting parallel to the floor to ceiling glass sliding doors that opened up to their wooden deck outback.
A blanket was draped over him, falling off his shoulders slightly and he had his left leg up with his arms wrapped around it as he held it close to his chest. Beneath him laid their dog that happened to be Eijun’s idea of an anniversary gift having planned it perfectly since they had bought this house right before their first anniversary. A white as snow female Samoyed who they named Yukino.
She was amazing, a joy to have and take care of. They did however get quite sad when they had to leave for long periods of time during away games, but Chris’s dad loved her and even Eijun’s parents as well since whenever Animal was away in America they would make the trip out to Nagano just so they knew Yukino would be in good hands.
Yukino was laying directly underneath the legs of the stool, so Eijun did not see when the dog lifted her head and turned to look at Chris. Like the nickname Samoyeds are given; Smiling Sammys, Yukino blessed him with a smile with tongue hanging and all.
Chris smiled in return and pressed a finger to his lips, a command Yukino was taught to keep quiet whenever her barking or howling got a little overboard. Like the good girl she was -and knew she was- Yukino put her head back down between her paws, but her tail continued to wag from left to right.
Back to Eijun, Chris watched his spouse just stare out at the window. Something he has done more often in the passing years whenever it rained. One thing that never left Eijun was his boundless energy, not that Chris hated that fact not even a little bit. But whenever it rained it was like a switch had flipped and a more calm/serene side that Eijun has developed since living in their new home would make itself apparent.
Unable to go for his morning runs -which Chris sometimes joins, but he prefers to sleep more often than not- Eijun takes to sitting by the window panes and stare out, watching the downpour and how the raindrops trickle down the glass of the sliding doors.
Chris has found him in this spot occasionally and always just took it as it was, a picture-perfect moment -which he may have actually taken, several of- of his beautiful spouse in pure tranquility.
Chris finally pushed himself off the wall he was leaning on and began walking over to Eijun, who turned his head hearing the incoming footsteps.
A warm smile graced Eijun’s lips as he looked up at his husband who came to stand in front of him. Chris placed his hand on Eijun’s shoulders before leaning down and planting a kiss on his lips before pulling away and resting his forehead against Eijun’s own.
“Good morning, Ei.” Chris said softly.
Eijun pecked Chris’s lips quickly before greeting him back. “Good morning, Yuu.”
Chris stayed there a moment longer, just enjoying the moment before he slid down to a kneeling position and gave Yukino a head rub while looking to Eijun who was smiling down at him now.
Chris sighed contentedly, never able to get enough of that smile. “How long have you’ve been up?”
“Um…” Eijun’s brow pinched in thought before looking over at their hanging clock to check the time. “Since six. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“No. But your absence did.” Chris commented.
Eijun chuckled softly and moved his hand into Chris’s hair, pushing back the hair that fell forward and pressed a kiss on Chris’s forehead. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Chris hummed, as Eijun carded his hand through his hair once more before he stood up. Holding out his hand towards Eijun who accepted it, Chris helped him up to a stand.
The blanket fell onto the stool, leaving Eijun shirtless and only in his boxers -which Chris glanced at and saw that they were actually his-.
“How aren’t you cold?” Chris playfully scowled.
Eijun laughed lightly and mocked a shiver. “Brrrr…”
Chris rolled his eyes and smirked. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Hug me.” Eijun stated with a grin.
“Is that how you ask, Ei?” Chris raised a brow, the smirk still resting on his face.
“Please~, Yuu.”
“Come here.”
Chris pulled Eijun flush against him, and the younger wrapped his arms over the older's shoulders and then around Chris’s neck.
“See, warm.”
“So..I’m your personal heater then?”
“Mhmm.” Eijun mumbled with a nod which Chris felt more than saw as Eijun buried his face into his neck.
“Wow~! I feel the love.” Chris chuckled as he rubbed Eijun’s back causing the younger to shiver a bit. Eijun being the brat he knew he was, nipped at Chris’s neck and sucked on the spot making a small love bite. “Hey!”
“You started it.” Eijun smirked as he pulled away to look up at Chris before smiling. “Love you.”
“You’re going to pay for that later.”
“I know.”
“Of course, you do. You wouldn’t have done it otherwise.”
“I know~!”
“Eijun.”
“Hehe!” Eijun snickered as he hid his face in Chris’s chest while the older just sighed, wrapping his arms around the younger’s waist.
“I love you too.” Chris said and kiss the crown of Eijun’s head.
“I kn-”
“If you finish that sentence, I’m going to throw you outside in the rain.”
“Wha! You wouldn’t dare!”
“Maybe I would.” Chris grinned as Eijun pulled away and pouted.
“No, you wouldn’t.” Eijun said vehemently.
Chris’s grin only grew. “I know~.”
He pulled away, laughing lightly at Eijun’s jaw dropping while he crossed the open space of the living room and moved towards the kitchen.
“YUU!!” Eijun screeched as he ran after him and practically jumped on his back. Yukino joined on the excitement and began running around the kitchen's island table, letting out a bark or two as her fluffy tail wagged wildly.
Chris kept his balance as he caught Eijun in a piggyback ride and he continued to laugh. “Jeez, Ei. We’re not in high school anymore.”
“I’m forever a child at heart!”
“Ain’t that the truth.”
“You’re making fun of me!”
“You still make it too easy to do so.”
“Takigawa Chris Yuu!” Eijun call out as he wrapped his arms around his husband’s neck. “Stop teasing me!”
“Fine. Fine. Takigawa Eijun.” Chris said with a light tone and turned his head slightly seeing a pink hue grace Eijun’s cheeks. With a smile, Chris asked another question. “So, what should we have for breakfast?”
“Chocolate chip pancakes!” Eijun said excitedly.
Chris couldn’t agree more. “Sounds good. I’ll grab the eggs, milk, butter, and flour. Could you get the sugar, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, and most importantly-”
“The chocolate chips!” Eijun finished off, and he blames Chris for increasing his liking to chocolate but it was for a special occasion so it was okay to break from their strict diet every once in a while.
“Yep. And then we can get started.” Chris nodded, slowly removing his hold of Eijun’s thighs around his waist.
“Oh! One more thing!” Eijun called out and Chris turned to look over his shoulder once again.
“What?”
Eijun kissed his cheek before pulling away and giving him a bright smile. “Happy Birthday, Yuu!!”