Work Text:
It’s been eight days since Kurona’s last been home. He’s out in the Philippines of all places, doing some research on a weird sea creature Bachira’s never heard of. Leaving him all alone.
Of course, Bachira knows Kurona needs to work. Bachira also knows that Kurona actually likes his job— he gets to swim with dolphins, sharks, collect clams and do whatever the fuck marine biologists do in their little wet ocean labs. But still. It’s lonely without him.
Stupid ass business trip. Stupid ass job. Stupid ass marine life.
At least Kurona’s coming home today. Bachira’s been bored out of his mind for the entirety of Kurona’s trip. Isagi’s busy with whatever the hell he’s doing (something something two thousand piece jigsaw puzzle something something, boring), and Bachira has no interest in doing straight boy activities with Otoya.
(Stupid ass timezone difference. If not for the fact Bachira was busy training during Kurona’s working hours, Bachira could’ve been video calling him while he fucked off with Spongebob and co. He has always been curious about the type of person who would want to live in a pineapple under the sea, after all.)
Whatever, all that’s in the past now. Kurona’s coming home tonight, and Bachira really wants to surprise him with something. Last time, when Bachira had to leave Japan for a bit for the Olympics, Kurona made him his favourite meal when he came back. And got him a really cute bee plushie from Ikea, which he finds himself cuddling with far more often in Kurona’s absence.
Kurona’s on his flight back to Japan now. It’s 7 p.m.— Kurona’s estimated to get back at around… 10-11p.m.-ish? Bachira can’t drive, so Hiori’s going to pick Kurona up from the airport and bring him home safe and sound. Meaning, Bachira has around four hours to prepare Kurona the perfect welcome home meal.
Bachira changes into a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. He brings along a reusable bag, and puts his bee plush inside for company. It’s a bit childish, but Bachira misses his partner, okay? It’s been a rough eight days.
There’s a supermarket that’s open 24/7 just a five minute walk away. Bachira can pick up a few things there. He’s also on a mission to buy twist bread from any bakeries still open. It’s Kurona’s favourite— Bachira doesn’t really understand why Kurona decides his favourite food based on aesthetic appeal and not taste, but if it’s what Kurona likes, then Bachira will go through hell and back to get it for him.
He heads downstairs, with a plan to create a perfect amazing incredible dinner for Kurona. His headphones are on and he’s blasting Ordinary Night on loop— Kurona’s favourite song.
(Personally, it’s much too slow for Bachira’s liking. Bachira likes songs with a high BPM and electronic instruments. But right now, the low tempo and gentle violin makes him feel all warm and fuzzy.)
He arrives at the supermarket, and realises that he didn’t prepare a shopping list. Kurona taught him how to make a few of his favourite recipes, so he decides to just look for the ingredients and choose which to make based on what he can find. He’s always been better at thinking on his feet than planning beforehand anyways.
Bachira goes to the snack aisle first. He throws in whatever Kurona has even shown a hint of interest in in the past. It’s not like money’s an issue, after all.
Goldfish crackers? Kurona’s mentioned liking them once, his favourite flavour was the cheddar one. In the cart they go!
Choco pie? That’s the bare minimum. Everytime Kurona’s in charge of buying the groceries, he returns with an extra box of Choco pie, even when it’s not on the list. Honestly, if Bachira didn’t get a box of these for Kurona, he’d have failed as a partner.
Gummy sharks? Holy shit. Kurona would love those. He loves gummies of any kind— Bachira always catches him eating a pack of Starmix at midnight, right before bed. Better buy an extra pack, just in case.
Bachira carefully avoids the food that he’s pretty sure Kurona dislikes. Pretty sure, because Kurona never directly states he dislikes anything.
But Bachira’s gotten good at reading him.
From the way certain snacks have been rotting in their pantry for two weeks uneaten, or the way he frowned when Hiori offered him those saltine crackers, or the way he’s never eaten potato chips during group movie nights— it’s easy to guess what snacks he likes and doesn’t like.
(Contrary to popular belief, Bachira does not have a bad memory. He knows Isagi likes steamed broccoli, but not when it’s fried. He knows Chigiri loathes hard boiled eggs, but loves soft boiled ones. Sure, Bachira will never remember what happened in France during 1799– no matter how hard he tries— but Bachira will always remember the little details of his friends.)
Bachira eventually decides that he’s bought enough snacks. Now, for the actual meal he’s making. He heads on over to Aisle 16, and sees it. Dumpling wrappers.
Kurona taught him how to make dumplings a few weeks ago. They wrapped some together, and they were delicious. They’re simple enough to make, so Bachira won’t have to worry about fucking up the recipe.
He puts the dumpling wrappers in his cart. Now what to use for the filling…
Bachira takes a quick walk through several of the aisles, weighing his options.
He could use some eggs, Kurona likes egg; they already have that at home, though. Minced pork and celery’s a must. Kurona likes that. He skips the ginger— Kurona’s not a fan— and contemplates adding shrimp, but ultimately decides against it. Kurona was complaining about how much seafood he was eating on his trip after all. He’ll add some garlic chives, too.
Once he’s decided on the fillings, he heads on over to the baked goods aisle. There’s sausage buns, raisin bread, chocolate muffins— all kinds of delicious, freshly baked pastries for him to choose from. But there’s one specific type of bread that Kurona’s looking for.
(Freshly baked is a bit of a stretch. It is like, 8 p.m. after all, but the bread isn’t stale by any means. It’ll do.)
Then, in the corner of his eye, he sees it. Twist bread. The final piece of the “Kurona’s Perfect Amazing Dinner” Puzzle.
He picks up a bag of them— six total, each a different flavour. For the variety, you know?
Then he heads to checkout. He stuffs everything he purchased into his bag, but has to buy an extra plastic bag anyways. There wasn’t enough room.
Bachira takes a picture of everything he just bought— he’s never been good at keeping surprises— knowing damn well Kurona won’t see it until he lands. Bachira goes to text him.
You
i misss uuuuuuuuuuuuu ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡
i got u some snacks 4 when u get home!!
[Attached is an image of various snacks Bachira had stuffed into his bag.]
i’ll try my best 2 stay awake until then but i might fall asleep and if i do im so sorry (´；ω；`)
everything should be in da kitchen for u 2 enjoy!!
cant wait 4 u 2 get back
ill try and make u something extra special too hehee ^_−☆
i hope it turns out yummy
Sent at 9:47 p.m.
Bachira puts away his phone and heads home.
—
Bachira gets to work the moment he enters his apartment. He takes out the dumpling wrappers and all the filling ingredients he needs. He prepares a plate and a bowl, and starts wrapping as many dumplings as he can before Kurona gets back.
In the end, he wraps 35. He’s not sure if Kurona will be able to finish all of them— but if he can’t, Bachira would gladly finish the rest. They look really yummy. Bachira smiles at himself. His handiwork’s a bit messy, but for his first attempt without Kurona’s help, he’s pretty proud of it.
Bachira puts the dumplings in the freezer, so he can boil them when Kurona gets back, and they’ll be all fresh and warm for him to eat.
He spends the rest of his time sorting out the snacks he just bought into the pantry. He sticks a sticky note on the fridge, just in case he falls asleep before Kurona gets back.
“I made u some dumpliiiings!!! Theyre in the fridge— idk if theyre good but I hope u like them :-)
-the love of ur life”
Once Bachira’s done, he puts on a random show to pass the time with, and waits.
—
SHARKBOY!!! <3 <3
!!! I have landed
we arrived later than expected, sorry :(
that was a loooong flight. food wasn’t the best either
tbh when has airline food ever been good
oh I think you fell asleep
aww :(
You
> i misss uuuuuuuuuuuuu ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡
I missed you toooo!!
You
> i got u some snacks 4 when u get home!!
really? :o
!!!! oh my god hzgshzzvzvvvvvvv
thank you thank you they look delicious ><
can’t wait to see you :-)
Sent at 11:12 p.m.
SHARKBOY!!! <3 <3
hiori’s picking me up now
I feel bad for making him wait :( stupid turbulence stupid air traffic
I’ll see you at home!!
Sent at 11:47 p.m.
—
Bachira wakes up at noon on his bed, and not on the couch. And more importantly, Kurona’s next to him.
Then, he remembers. He was watching that trash TV show, and drifted off into sleep. Before Kurona came back.
Bachira feels a pang of guilt, and snuggles up closer to his partner, still deep in sleep.
“Sorry,” he mutters.
Kurona mumbles something intelligible, eyes still closed, and wraps his arms around Bachira’s torso.
Bachira plants a kiss on his forehead.
He heads back to sleep.
—
“Hey, hey, Meguru?” Kurona’s head is resting on Bachira’s shoulder. Bachira’s going through his work emails, his laptop placed on his lap.
“Yeah?” Bachira glances at Kurona.
“The dumplings last night were delicious,” Kurona yawns, “Thank you, thank you.”
Kurona gives him a fond smile. Bachira flushes, quickly looking away.
“It’s— it’s nothing, really.”
“You didn’t have to, though. The snacks were already really yummy,” Kurona fidgets with his braid, “I appreciate it. A lot, a lot… Thanks for doing that. For me.”
Bachira laughs softly. “I’d do it again a million bajillion times for you.” He looks away from his screen, focusing his full attention on Kurona. “You know how much I care about you.”
“I know, I know.” Kurona presses a kiss on Bachira’s cheek.
Bachira would gladly survive 8 more Kurona-less days for that one kiss.