Chapter Text
“Babe, what do you mean you threw the instructions out?!”
“I don’t need instructions,” he replied indignantly without looking up. “I can build it on my own.”
“Have you ever seen a fucking chair before, Ushiwaka?” You held up the mutilated frame emphatically. “This is upside down.”
“Oh,” he replied, looking genuinely surprised as he finally looked over. “Sorry.”
“Ugh… let’s just take a break, okay?” You put down the scraps of wood and then lay down on the hardwood floor, sighing in agony as the pain seared through your lower back. It had been a mad dash to move everything from Oita to Sendai in time. You said your temporary goodbyes and zipped up with him before even having a second for second thoughts. In fact, he already had scheduled practices tomorrow. Everything had been touch and go. Outside the large window, the sun was close to setting, and there was still no furniture set up to actually rest properly. It felt like you’d spent all of eternity hunched over, assembling shit, but there wasn’t much to show for your work yet. Despite the exhaustion, you were a lot happier than you’d ever been in a long time.
Your soulmate waded through the obstacles polluting the hazardous space and lay down next to you. Already, you were comfortable, his warmth lending you comfort and strength. You closed your eyes, enjoying the peace.
This apartment was much larger than the last. Although he’d signed the contract before even letting you know about the move, it was kind of obvious that he got it with a couple in mind. There was a bathroom just for you, now, complete with a counter so that you could finally do your makeup in peace. The space was much more open and modernly designed—he knew you hated how dark and stifling it was back in Oita. There was even room for Waka to take trips out back with ease. The dog was still trotting in the grass, happily entertained, never having had a yard to himself before. Wakatoshi didn’t say much, but his considerateness always translated over.
“We should build the bed frame next,” he murmured, always Captain Obvious. “It wouldn’t be comfortable to sleep on the floor.”
“No way! I’m living my dream life right now. I have always wanted to sleep on hardwood. Screw the bed.”
“…really?”
“No, not really!” You looked over, laughing when you saw the concern in his eyes. “I was kidding. Just gimme a sec. My back hurts like a bitch.”
“Let me see.”
You sat up, wincing sorely. You dug your thumbs into the tense fascia of your lower back.
“Here?” he asked, sweetly. His hands were so huge and warm that even just laying them on your skin soothed you. You moaned unwittingly, letting your eyes flutter shut as his capable fingers pressed into your skin.
“I’m really glad I met you,” you mumbled, randomly, the thought just falling into your head like it’d always been there. His grip paused before slipping around your waist, giving you a loose hug from behind. He slid you back towards him.
“Remember what Guen said at the wedding?”
“There was a lot going on. You’re going to have to be more specific.”
You felt his chin hit your shoulder, the tip of his nose cool against the back of your ear. Sensitive, you shuddered with his gentle words.
“Even if we weren’t soulmates, it’d always be you.”
“Oh.” It was rare of him to be so outwardly romantic and your body exploded, a heated blush racing out from your core. You tiled your face away from his so that he wouldn’t notice. “Well. If you really feel that way, you should do a better job putting together the chairs.”
“I will.”
You looked over just in time to catch the hint of his smile before he kissed you, the arms locked at your waist coaxing you forwards into his embrace. It was an easy, comfortable kiss and you pulled away with adoration swelling in your chest.
“We should probably get started if we want it done within the hour.”
“Okay.”
The two of you broke away, but no matter how far you got, there’d always be the thread linking you. It’s fate, dyed red with passion—this is what having a soulmate means. Something divine out there knew, before you and he ever would, that the two of you were meant to be. And, passing him the hammer, you were already building up your new life with him. Together.
Without him, you’d been a lonely, wallowing coward. Without you, he’d been a cold, unreachable mess. Together, you were you and he was him, but… it was more. It was more than two people. It was unspeakably large, like the entire universe had been contained between either of you. It was an expansive love that transcends space and time completely. A love that ignores distance; ignores lifetimes. You’ve never loved anybody harder than you do Ushijima Wakatoshi, and you know that it’s returned. It is the purest, highest honour you have to share your heart with him.
“So much for true love”.