Work Text:
Surprisingly, today had been uneventful. Of course you knew that getting older would sometimes mean that life starts to slow down, but ever since Karamatsu came into your life, there had never been a dull moment and you loved him for it. Currently, you were curled up in a nest chair reading one of your favorite books while Karamatsu tended to his beautiful garden.
...You suppose calling today "uneventful" would be unfair. Perhaps "peaceful" would do it more justice.
"My dearest flower", You smile at the pet name, your eyes still focused on the worn book in you held in your hand, "I've been meaning to ask you a question that's settled in the back of my mind for quite some time... Not knowing when to do so." he ended, the last part seemed more directed to himself.
You pull your gaze up from the book to see Karamatsu's back to you. Your smile dropped as you blinked. "What's on your mind?" Karamatsu and you had known each other for 25 years, been together for 23 years, and happily married for 19 years, a month from now would mark the 20th anniversary. Over the years, you knew Karamatsu doubted himself more than what he would show. He was a very timid man who aimed to pleased, regardless if he didn't want to do it. It worried you sometimes.
Karamatsu slowly turned around, facing you with a small smile and gazing at you with so much love you would've thought you were back at the wedding alter. And asked a question you've never thought would fall from his lips.
Or a least could have be asked way earlier in this relationship.
" What made you fall in love with me? "
A noticeably surprised look lights up your face. Shutting your book and sitting it down next you, you start to ponder his question. You knew he wouldn't settle for the classic "it was love at first sight!" answer. As true as it may have been, he'd want something more specific.
Was it the the way he carried himself? Or maybe his unique taste in fashion? While you did love him for how open he was, you knew that it wasn't how you had become so infatuated with the man who stood in front of you. Karamatsu walked over and sat in the chair next to you. Gingerly taking your hand into his, his soft smile never leaving his face, he patiently waits for your answer.
A smile slowly graces your lips as you recall the fond memory of how you two met.
"It was your voice that captured my heart."
* ~ flashback ~ *
Coming to the local library was a "great" idea.
You recalled hearing from some professors that studying in a different location would help you process the information better.
Different location probably meant the university's library, instead of being in your dorm room.
Closing your eyes, you groaned internally as you listened to another kid (or was it the same one?) start yelling. You could understand that because this was a public library, of course there would be kids. In fact, you loved kids! One of the main reasons you majored in elementary education was because you wanted to help give children a positive learning environment.
But this!
This was not a good environment for you, the other library patrons, or that screaming child! Seriously, why hasn't anyone tried to quiet down the child?!
A sigh slipped from your lips, you squeezed your already closed eyes even tighter. Well this was a bust. You thought trying to get an early start on studying for your final would be beneficial... well it probably would have been if you went to the library on campus. You dropped your head on the book pile stacked in front of you.
At least you had 45 minutes before the city bus came. Let's try to make it count, you thought.
Lifting your head, you take a huge inhale of the air around you to clear your mind. Smells like paper and ink. A bit dusty. And fresh roses and cologne.
Wait.
Fresh roses and cologne?!
Your eyes opened in a flash and you whipped your head in the direction of the smell.
There was a man knelt right next to your chair holding out fresh vibrant red roses with a huge grin on his face. And he's got on shades.
Inside a building.
At night.
You blinked. And you blinked again. He's still there, so you ruled out it being a weird stress dream. Before you could even open your mouth to voice your confusion, a shrill scream cut through the air and you immediately covered your face with your hands to keep yourself from joining in the yelling. Shaking your head slowly, you wondered if this day could get any worse. First, you woke up late because while you were asleep, your phone charger fell out the socket and your phone died. Then you find out that your older sibling still had your car, so instead driving to public library, you had to catch the bus (you ended up waiting half an hour at the bus stop next to a man surrounded by cats... which should have been cute if you hadn't felt like you were about to die). And now you had wasted a whole two hours sitting in a not so quiet library in an attempt to study so you don't totally bomb your first final. It took you all of your strength and then some not to just break down in front of this weird stranger.
"A beautiful flower such as yourself should not be trapped with such noises..."
Apparently someone somewhere had pity for you because you could of sworn you just heard the voice of an angel. Or maybe all that stress really gotten to you. You liked to believe it was the former. Slowly, you lower your hands to show only your eyes since your mouth was agape. Not because you felt your cheeks heat up.
Certainly not why.
"My Karamatsu honey!"
The weird "wears shades at night" man knelt in front of you with now slightly wilting roses has a voice that's so gorgeous you feel like you just came out of a high class spa.
You literally feel like warm honey.
"Allow me to lead you to magnificent journey, where we'll taste the finest drinks of life and consume a meal fit for royalty."
Did he just ask you on a date?
"Um... like right now?"
And are you actually considering the offer?
"Heh, if fate allows."
You glanced at the clock on the wall. Ten minutes left before the last bus comes. You looked back at the man who seemed to be sweating now.
While his voice did put you to ease, you really needed to go back to your dorm to decompress from whatever fresh hell this day was.
You quickly jotted down your name and phone number on a small paper slip and handed it to him. "How about tomorrow? I really need to get back right now, but I'll be available anytime tomorrow. Just call me tonight, ok?" To plan out a meeting, you told yourself.
Not because you wanted his voice to be the last thing you heard before you slept.
Not at all.