Chapter Text
He felt warmth all over him and his own warm breath being reflected. He could feel light touches on his bare back and light breezes going through his olive locks. He squirmed as he wrapped his arms around the bolster, a bolster that felt different from usual. It was not his usual cylindrical soft block. Instead, it was...hard?
Makoto gradually strained open his eyelids. It was dark and he could not really make out what was in front of him. It seemed to be of a skin color, but he was very sure he never had a bolster with such color. There was a brown dot on it, too, which looked like a very nicely rounded stain. He squinted his eyes and stared at it, trying to process his brain on what it was. Makoto's eyes went wide as the block in front of him vibrated as he heard it...chuckled?
"What are you staring at, silly?"
Makoto looked up so fast that he strained his neck. He groaned as he put his right hand at the back of his neck, massaging it. A large hand went under his and took over to massage for him instead.
"You okay?" the deep voice asked, concerned. As Makoto was gradually calming himself down, feeling the pain lessened, he recalled the events that happened last night and finally understood what was happening. He was lying on an arm pillow. He was no more stained with dry crusty cum. The used to be hot rod was no more in him. He had his boxers on. His heart fluttered with delight knowing that he was properly cared for while he fell asleep after the affair.
His eyes gradually got used to the dark room and with the help of the light coming in from the gap between the curtains, he could now make out the silhouette in front of him. He smiled so brightly that his eyes seemed to be closed as he slowly tilted up to look at Sousuke, who was finally in his arms again.
"'s'kay," Makoto voiced out in his rough voice. He coughed out a bit, clearing off his throat before speaking again. "I'm fine." His voice was still coarse. It was his morning voice that was a little bit strained due to the activity done in the previous night.
"Sorry. I couldn't really control myself last night," Sousuke apologized as Makoto felt the large gentle hand caressed his puffy cheeks after the massage on the back of his neck.
Makoto shook his head slightly as he inched nearer towards Sousuke's nape, giving it a few light pecks from there and gradually making his way up to his scruffy chin, before landing a deep kiss on the mouth. He pulled away after a while and just laid on the pillow, staring mindlessly at Sousuke's face as his beloved did the same. Makoto took in the sight of the ever slightly curved lips, the sharp nose, and the gentle looking teal-colored irises. He also took in the sight of a pair of very tired eyes, with greyish bags underneath. Reflexively, his hands cupped Sousuke's cheeks and his thumbs rubbed slowly in circles around the eyebags.
Makoto saw Sousuke smile and felt the pair of arms wrapped around his upper torso, feeling tiny little caresses on it. Makoto, feeling the warmth nearer towards him, smiled, too.
"How were you?" he heard Sousuke asked with that warm tone of his.
"Good, I guess," Makoto replied while thinking that he could have given a better response. He was studying Sousuke's facial expressions again, wondering what was the slight hesitation he saw last night. "What about you?" he asked, hoping to get an answer to his curiosity.
"Me?" Sousuke asked as he seemed to be surprised. There was that hesitation again shown on his face. Makoto was sure now that he would try to talk it out of him and fix things.
Calming himself down, Makoto responded, "Yeah. How have you been for the past few months? Were you having your meals properly? Were you able to relax during your free time? Did you still go swimming or jogging around the park? Oh, but I bet you did still go to the gym. You still have your toned abs on you and those sexy muscles." Makoto chuckled.
He could feel Sousuke's facial expression soften a little. Sousuke smiled and replied, "I had my meals regularly, still went swimming or jogging in the park, and yes, I still work out daily." Makoto noticed how he avoided some of his questions and decided to probe on.
"That's good. How was work?" Makoto asked and instantly he felt the tension from Sousuke. The arms that were wrapped around his back stoned up lightly before they tightened up and brought Makoto into a stiff embrace. While part of Makoto was worried about the reaction, part of him was actually glad that Sousuke was still the Sousuke he knew, the one who would always come to him and rely on him whenever needed. Even so, he would never rush for an answer. It would always start with a strong embrace for a short while before Sousuke would speak his mind. Makoto had known it was coming and reciprocated the embrace while adding on light pecks on the lips, chins and cheeks.
Makoto could still feel the gaze on him as he continued with the light kisses. He stopped as soon as Sousuke responded and gave him a long deep kiss. Makoto parted his lips and probed Sousuke to do the same by using his tongue to lick them before putting it in to meet his.
After a while, Makoto retracted back as Sousuke pulled away. He looked back with half lidded eyes as Sousuke continued to stare at him while his locks were played with gently.
"You know, Mako," Sousuke started. Makoto hummed in response to him. "I... got demoted." Sousuke finally said out after a short silence. Makoto hummed again in response, the usual way he would do to assure Sousuke that he was listening and wanted him to continue.
"You remember the last case where I was a spy in a shady organization and I... got you involved?" Sousuke continued. Makoto wanted to deny that and convince him that it was not his fault, but he decided to keep quiet and allow Sousuke to continue on first. Instead, he hummed and nodded.
"Well, that didn't really end well," Sousuke chuckled sadly. "After that case, I was told to lay low for a few weeks. When I was finally back, I was given another case, which was supposed to be a different one, a case that wasn't supposed to be related to the previous one. But...it wasn't."
"Mm," Makoto hummed as he started drawing circles behind Sousuke's upper back where both of his arms wrapped around.
Sousuke sighed and continued, "It was initially a different case, where the people I had to deal with were of a different group of people. But in the end, the main people behind it were still that same shady organization. I... was triggered when I thought of what they have done to you and couldn't control myself. My chief in command had actually told me to back off from the case but I took matters onto my own hands and well, I had caused the mission to fail yet again."
"Mm," Makoto hummed once more as he studied his beloved's expression. The frown in between those brows and creases that had formed on that forehead. The pain that he had gone through seemed to be excruciatingly intolerable. Not to say that Makoto's emptiness was bearable back in those months, but at least he had somebody close to him to be with him. He had his family with him, he had Haru helping him out in the care center, and the kids he to take care of during those days. Sousuke, on the other hand, only had himself back in Tokyo, away from his close ones and most of all, from his beloved. If Makoto had recalled back the memories back then, he would have gone back at once to Tokyo, back to his side, to be there with him.
"Sou," Makoto finally voiced out. "Please know that it wasn't your fault. You wouldn't have known what would have happened back then."
"But I..." Sousuke replied albeit a little strained from holding back his emotions. Makoto could hear them all. "I... have put you in danger, Makoto. That's the worst thing I could have done."
The creases on Sousuke's forehead tightened, and so did the strong muscular arms around him. For a man with such strength and courage, not fearing any physical pain, but had a heart of glass, easily shattered with a light knock.
"In that case, I've done the worst thing I could have done, too, by losing memories of you, leaving you behind and coming back here on my own," Makoto replied in his ever-gentle voice. He did not want Sousuke to bear everything on his own. He wanted to share everything, the good and the bad times, with him.
"You were met in an accident, Mako. An accident that was meant for me, not you!" Sousuke's tone rose as he stared at him in frustration. It was then that Makoto finally frowned and stared hard back at Sousuke. He could not believe what Sousuke had just uttered from that kissable mouth of his.
"Sousuke," Makoto's voice sounded stern and glared back at him. Seemingly to understand what Makoto was trying to convey, Sousuke backed down immediately and softened his frown. Sousuke sighed. Makoto continued glaring at him as he saw Sousuke slowly inching closer and attaching their foreheads together. Makoto softened his frown and sighed, too, thinking that he should be honest with his own feelings as well.
"You know, Sou," Makoto started. "To say that those few months were good for me may not be entirely accurate." Sousuke perked up. They both looked at each other as Makoto continued. "I was in deep confusion, not knowing what the emptiness I was feeling about was, nor why I was craving something, someone in particular. I kept on holding onto the photo we had in my wallet, staring at it, hoping an answer would come to me, telling me that I know who that man in the photo was, but nothing came to me."
At that, Makoto could see the sadness in Sousuke creeping up once again. Makoto recalled that look of despair on Sousuke when he was in and out of his consciousness back when he was met with that accident. Makoto quickly continued, "If it wasn't for your sudden visit to Haru's place, or Rin's sudden sharp scream of your name, the memories wouldn't have been triggered and I wouldn't have quickly rushed out to you."
Makoto could see bits of tears glimmering and forming in Sousuke's eyes. He brought his hand again to cup his cheeks and rubbing in circles again with his thumb around his eye, trying to calm down the storm with his light caresses.
"It's been months, Sou," Makoto continued with his calm voice. "Let bygones be bygones. Now, you're finally here and the void in me has been filled. I wouldn't ask for anything else anymore, Sou." Makoto went in for a little nose booping with his own as he smiled. He stared at Sousuke for a little while before gradually gazing towards those lips and inched in to plant another one of their long deep kisses.
After what seemed like hours but were just seconds, Makoto pulled away. He smiled his brightest and said, "I've missed you so much, Sou. Welcome home."
Sousuke, finally relaxed, put on a smile and replied, "I'm home. I've missed you, too." That was the phrase he had missed listening to for the past few months. Makoto was so glad that Sousuke was finally with him, in person.
"Sou, you remember the swimming pool that I used to go to coach the kids?" Makoto started talking about that day how he actually saw Sousuke's towel but did not actually realized it was his and how it was funny that he finally found out who it belonged to. Makoto continued with stories of the past few months, all those that he had missed confiding to Sousuke about. He took the chance to pour it all out as Sousuke just lovingly stared at him and listened to them all, chuckling along as Makoto did. Their little sharing went on for a little more than an hour before they gradually fell back into slumber, both still within each other's embrace till the sun rose in the morning.
The sun was now up and glaring above their heads. They both had checked out of the motel and had gone for breakfast. As predicted, there was a complaint about their room, but it was not about the noise pollution they had caused. Apparently, their neighbor from downstairs had complained that their room might have been haunted as the creaking and loud banging on the wall was heard that night. The receptionist was clueless as to what happened and was just plain relieved when Sousuke mentioned that he was fine and that he didn't actually hear any of those noises. He brushed it off as possible paranoia or hallucination from that person who had complained instead. Makoto felt apologetic for the disturbance they had caused but tried his best to put on a poker face as he saw how Sousuke, too, was putting up with a poker face as he responded to the feedback. Makoto snickered as soon as they got out of the building. Sousuke followed suit.
The both of them were walking for quite some time under the blazing sun and soon arrived at the platform for the bullet train back to Tokyo. Makoto looked down at his hands holding onto both of Sousuke's, unwilling to let go, but he knew he could not just hold him back. He felt Sousuke squeezed his hands and understood that Sousuke felt the same as him.
Steadying his breathing, Makoto finally spoke, "So, when would you be able to find out the date you'll be transferred here for good?" While they were having their breakfast, Makoto had found out that Sousuke would be transferring back to Iwatobi for his job. Since he was no longer eligible for his earlier position, Sousuke had requested to be transferred back to his hometown so that he could be near his beloved and look over him. Makoto was delighted, of course, but he was worried if Sousuke would regret doing so, since this is a small town unlike the big city. However, Sousuke had assured him that there was no regret and that all he wanted after all those days he had gone through, was to just be with Makoto and living in a peaceful life.
To Makoto's question, Sousuke replied uncertainly, "Well, the chief here told me he would inform them and get a reply as soon as possible. It could be within days or weeks. I can't be very sure about it."
"I see," Makoto replied, sounding disappointed. He was trying to be cheerful, sending Sousuke off with a smile was what he really wanted to do, but he could not actually betray his own heart. They had just reconciled and finally met each other after so long. He could not really bear to separate himself from Sousuke again, not knowing when would be the next time they met. He was dying to just hop on the train and follow Sousuke back to Tokyo. If only he could drop everything and just go. Makoto sighed.
Makoto's hands were brought up to Sousuke's face. "Hey, Mako. Look here," Sousuke said, and Makoto did as told. He burst out laughing at the ugly face Sousuke was making with his hands. It looked like a blobfish but with frills on his cheeks.
Makoto stopped laughing after a while and saw the handsome smile on Sousuke. Makoto giggled, "You looked horrible."
Sousuke giggled along. He then continued saying, "Mako, I promise that I will definitely come back to you, so would you wait for me?"
Makoto felt his sincerity from those words. He loved how Sousuke did not force him to follow him, nor try to convince him to leave everything and go. He loved how Sousuke respected his decisions and his life. He also loved how Sousuke would be weak on his knees whenever he teased him during their nightly routines. He loved everything, everything that made up Sousuke, his love.
"Mm," Makoto hummed and nodded before crushing in for a tight final hug, hoping that the warmth would last until the next time they meet again.
Makoto breathed in Sousuke's scent one last time, as deep as he could, before finally breaking the embrace. They gave each other one last kiss on the lips, before both unwillingly took a step back and released each other's hands. Sousuke smiled at Makoto, saying, "See you again, Love."
"Mm," Makoto hummed and nodded, unable to speak as he tried hard to hold in his emotions that were on the verge of overflowing.
Sousuke stepped onto the train, in his reassuring, calm voice, he said, "I'll definitely be back with you again soon, so please wait for me."
"I will," Makoto finally spoke out through his shaking voice. He looked on as the door on the train gradually shut. Makoto brought up his hand to wave and Sousuke did the same. "Love you," Makoto mouthed the words as the train gradually picked up speed. Sousuke responded with a flying kiss as the train went on, bit by bit disappearing out of sight.
Makoto stood on the platform, looking on at the same spot the train had just disappeared from. Taking in a few deep breaths, he finally carried his feet and headed back out of the train station.
"Makoto!"
He heard a familiar voice calling out to him. He smiled.
"Haru," he called back as he saw both his close friends there waiting for him. "And Rin, too."
"So, did you see him off?" Rin asked. Makoto nodded and smiled.
"Thank you, Rin, Haru," Makoto said as the three of them walked together along the street, back towards their neighborhood.
"It's okay, Makoto. I'm sure he'll be back," said Rin, seemingly trying to calm Makoto or make him feel better.
"Yeah," Makoto replied. "He said he will be transferring back here, so it won't be long."
"What?!" Rin shouted. Both Haru and Makoto were surprised. "I didn't hear anything about that!"
"Oh, I guess he hasn't mention it to you?" Makoto answered, not sure whether it was a good idea to actually talk about it in the first place.
"He did," Haru suddenly voiced out.
"When?" Rin was furious and shocked.
"When you were dead drunk, Rin," Haru rolled his eyes. "I've already warned you so many times about drinking too much alcohol. You never listen."
"Oh..." Rin suddenly quieted down. "Right...sorry."
Haru sighed, "Anyways, Makoto, I've helped you take the morning off, but you'd still need to do the afternoon work."
"Yeah, I know. Thanks," Makoto replied. He was glad that he could still count on Haru when such things occur. "I'll treat you to my homemade mackerel dish, okay?"
Haru's eyes beamed up and he grinned, "That's more like it."
"I'll bring some boost!" Rin said but was immediately stepped on. Rin mouthed a scream as he tried to pretend that it did not hurt as much.
"I said, no alcohol!" Haru answered angrily. Rin laughed sheepishly while trying to negotiate with Haru to the amount of alcohol he could have. Makoto chuckled as he witnesses the whole arguing scene just beside him like they usually would.
It would only be a few more days, or weeks, till he meets Sousuke again. He could not help but fantasize about what they could do for the rest of the years when they were finally back together again. Maybe, Makoto thought gleefully, I should start searching for a place to live with him.