Chapter 4: realization and consideration Summary: I think you can guess why this chapter is labeled this. :3 Notes: Am I getting annoying with these notes?? ? Anyway, Hirano is finally looking further into the future! Let's see how, shall we? As always, xo mouse Hirano would much rather be flying an actual airplane right now rather than simulate flying one, if you asked him. But since it was demonstrating the actual length of one, he supposed it was all right. Even though he's been a pilot for a little while now, Hirano is only allowed to do short-distanced flights and a few long-distanced ones, but he has to upgrade to Captain before he can do more taxing travels. He was confident he could do it, however, he understood why you have to work up to that opposed to doing twelve-hour flights right after graduating. At least he can co-pilot some of them. After about eight hours, Hirano landed his 'plane' safely and swiftly, like always. "Great job, Hirano-kun." He looked behind him and saw one of his superiors, Yume Takako. Standing up, he shook her hand. "Thank you, Takako-sama," Hirano said politely, feeling idiotic for not sensing her presence while he was practicing the flight simulator. Takako smiled, her features soft and motherly, but still so sharp that they demanded respect from everyone. "You've been working hard all morning, dear. Care to get a bite with one of your higher-ups?" she asked, clasping her hands together. "I'd be more than happy to, Takako-sama. Thank you kindly for the offer." Hirano knew that if he was getting invited out to lunch, this must either be very casual or very life changing. As long as he remained calm, nothing would go wrong. Or, he hoped. "Hirano-kun, I must say I am absolutely in love with your earrings. Where did you get them from? Vendome Aoyama?" Takako asked, taking as she took a sip of her green tea. The two were in a quaint cafe shop that had fascinatingly gorgeous desserts and pastries. The blonde made a mental note to bring Kagiura here; thinking he'd love this place and be eager to try the assortment of sweets. "I'm not quite sure. My partner got them for me when we were in high school," Hirano admitted, bringing a finger to one of his earlobes subconsciously, "They were a birthday gift." The memory brought a small smile to his face, recalling his recieving of the gift and how he felt so proud to earn such a thing from someone as sweet as Kagiura. Takako smiled herself, enlightened to see Hirano show an expression that was more than just his serious one. Her eyes flickered to his left hand. "You two live together, correct?" When Hirano nodded, she asked, "Have you considered marriage being in the future at all?" He blinked a few times in a row. It wasn't that he hasn't considered it (Kagiura openly says he wants to marry him one day), but Hirano thought what they had going on currently was enough for the time being, granted they both have heavily demanding jobs. "Would I sound like a terrible person if I say not much?" He asked in reply, eyes no longer meeting his boss', but at the half-eaten daifuku on his plate. It took Takako a few moments to responds. "Well, no, since you're still young, but that's where it contradicts the fact that you haven't bothered to dive into the idea more," she says, tapping her fingernails on the ceramic tea cup she was drinking from. Hirano sighed through his nose, bringing his fingers to his temples. "Takako-sama, may I ask a question about your personal life?" "Of course." "How did you know getting married was in the cards for you?" he inquired, looking up and continuing when she cocked her head to the side, "How could you have been so... sure that it was the proper next step?" She smiled at the question, looking at her wedding band lovingly, gaze softening at the sight of it. "Well, Hirano-kun, I'm sure there are many books or websites that contain possible answers for you, but since you asked me," she paused, folding her hands on the table, "Personally, I knew it when I noticed how my much husband changed me, in a good way, ever since he entered my life. He's the reason I'm the person I am today, sitting across from you. "It was scary at first when I realized that thought. Like - how was I supposed to be my own person without him around because he helped me change how I was before I knew him? But it came to me - after many panic attacks and years of us being in a relationship - that I could be myself, and have my husband as a bonus piece of my personality and heart." Hirano mulled over Takako's words, deciphering them in his brain. "Is that really all there is to it, Takako-sama?" It seemed too simple to just let that be the factor that would make Hirano dead-set on getting married to Kagiura. Takako laughed, a bright, genuine sound. "Dear, I only said personally! There's no rule saying that's the only way to show your love to your partner."
With Takako saying that, Hirano's brain played a vibrant memory like he was watching a movie: *"Well, I'm 100% on board with kI$sing the person I like, personally."* *"Yeah... that figures."* *"I said personally! There's no law saying that's the only way to express your love!"* Hirano's lips quirk up at the memory of his conversation with his old senpai, Ichinose Ao. That conversation was the turning point of Hirano figuring out his feelings for Kagiura. Maybe this one would help him figure out if he wants to marry him now. The front door opened and shut loudly, the usual sign that Kagiura was home. "Hiii-raaa-nooo-saaaan!!" Kagiura called, voice carrying into the house as he locked the door behind him and took off his loafers before sliding his slippers on. Hirano was in the living room, reading an article on his phone about [same sex] failed marriages when the other walked in. Were they helping his stress about proposing to Kagiura? Not at all, but he couldn't stop thinking the worst of this possible decision. His stomach churned as he remembered why some of these strangers' marriages didn't work out as he replied, "In here," starting to stand up from the sitting position he was in when Kagiura stepped into the living room, smiling like he always did when he saw Hirano after work. A weight the blonde didn't even know was there lifted off his shoulders as soon as his boyfriend got into his view. *"...I knew it when I noticed how my much husband changed me..."* Hirano couldn't deny that meeting Kagiura rocked his world in a way that seemed impossible to forget. It was as if when their eyes first met, the universe switched gears and made their galaxies collide so hard they would never be the same again, creating a massive elliptical galaxy of emotions that he hadn't even remotely felt before. Kagiura wrapped his arms around Hirano's shoulders, pulling him into a hug that exuded affection. Instinctively, after many years of doing this, Hirano's arms circled around the taller's waist, as he pressed his face into his chest, taking a very needed deep breath. "You have a good day?" he asked, the question being slightly audible. All this marriage crap was affecting his ability to think properly and be a decent partner. Kagiura nodded against the other's slim shoulder. "Yup," he said, backing up a little so he could look Hirano in the eye before adding, "I get to see you now, so I'm even better." The brunette's right hand held the side of Hirano's face, eyes gentle as they roamed his features for what had to be the millionth time ever. Hirano's skin burned a thousand fires. The articles never told him how their partner's words could make them burn so quickly like a stack of hay near an exposed lantern, or how spoken things like that can make one get goosebumps and feel their heart skip, like they went to go bathe in an ice bath after running a marathon. "The things you say sometimes, Kagi-kun," he sighed lightly, "Are just what I needed to hear." At that, Kagiura smiled wider. "Would it be okay if we kI$sed, Hirano-san?" Hirano nodded, planning on using this as research for his proposal consideration. Their lips soon met, warm and soft, as both of them closed their eyes, involved with only each other in a moment like this. When they separated, the only thing Hirano managed to understand was that he only felt love with Kagiura - not fear or worry. Perhaps making things like this permanent is the right thing to do. Notes: ANOTHER LONGISH CHAPTER BOOYAHHHH. Oh!- Important announcement(ish): I have an eye appointment next week, but my dad said he's going to have the doctor's look further into my eyes to see if I need cataract surgery. ? Hopefully I won't, but we'll find out! OH YEAH, MY BIRHDAY IS SOON, TOO! Okay, that's enough rambling for today. I hope you enjoyed chapter four!! I WILL in fact be working on the next one shortly! Feel free to tell me any ideas you have for the plot if you wanna! xox, mouse
