Always Come Back

    Late nights were hard for Makoto. He didn't sleep much anymore, not since Sousuke was drafted about 6 month previously. The silence late nights alone left him tore through his head, causing the usually composed, soft eyed man to crumple under the weight of the loneliness, becoming a shell of his usual self.

   Most nights were spent alone in the bed, hugging his distant lover's pillow to his chest, his soft whimpers and cries filling the room as he dreamt of moments that had yet to be lived and ones that had already passed. Makoto would lay for hours on end, his green eyes bloodshot and his light hair dirty and disheveled. The days lasted forever now as he lay alone, every second lasting an eternity.    

  Tonight was no different, he had come home early from his job at the pool, letting the kids in his class to leave early for the holiday. Makoto had been dreading this particular holiday for a while now, Valentine's Day. It had been on his mind for a long time now, even if he knew he would be alone once again. The thought of this was killing him slowly, a promise made not being kept. This time last year, Sousuke had been home. Makoto could recall it like it was just yesterday, the warmth of his lover's body, the softness of his lips on his own, the smoothness of his deep, silky voice as he whispered sweet nothings in Makoto's ear. All of this kept Makoto going, but what really killed him in this moment was a promise made, a promise that Sousuke would always be there on that very special day, roses in hand and love in heart. The promise was a lie now though, as Makoto lay alone in his bed on the same day that Sousuke had promised to be with him.

A sigh left Makoto's dry lips as he lay there, running a large hand through his hair. The bed creaked softly beneath his weight as he sat up, his shoulders slouched and his head tilted down. He sniffled softly, just once, before letting out a breath and wiping his eyes, heaving himself to his feet. After stumbling for a second, he caught his balance, running a hand up his lightly tanned side. A yawn escaped his lips as he stretched, his bones popping softly. After taking a few steps, he shoved his hands in the pocket of the large hoodie wich adorned his body, Sousuke's hoodie.

Makoto's eyes drooped lazily as he walked out of the dark bedroom, pushing the door closed behind him with his bare foot. His feet thumped softly on the laminate floor of the kitchen as he made his way to the cupboard. A squeal came from the cupboard door as Makoto opened it slowly, his green eyes scanning the bare shelves for something to eat. After a few moments of silence, Makoto's gaze finally caught a lone box of cereal hidden in the back of the shelves. The only problem? The box was set at the back of the very top shelf, the one shelf that even Makoto couldn't reach. Letting out a soft chuckle, the green eyed man let out a breath and stepped back.

"Sous...!" Makoto stopped himself, his eyes widening in the pain of the realization. Sousuke wasn't here to help him, not anymore, not since Makoto had recieved that letter in the mail, that horrible letter that held his lover's fate in it's neatly scrawled words which contained a deathly promise. Those three little letters, 'MIA', had broken Makoto. Since then, he had pieced himself back together, slowly, dangerously, but now, this. This was it, this was the last straw.

A cry of sorrow escaped the man's cracked lips as his eyes began to cloud with tears. Dropping his hands to the counter top, he leaned against it, his back pushing up as he rested his forehead against the cool surface. Makoto was hysterical now, his hands clenched into tight fists as a cry tore through his throat.

"Why, why, why!?" He was gasping for breath through his sobs now, his voice cracking. "Why would you do this to me!? Y...You promised me, promised you would always come back! You.... you were supposed to come back..." Makoto's voice had dropped to a whisper as he slid his fingers into his hair, tugging harshly at the disheveled strands.

Makoto had calmed a bit now, but not by much as he continued to mutter curses, his breathing ragged, and sobs still racking his body. He stood there for what seemed like hours, breaking, until hands wrapped around him, a shreak leaving his lips as terror tore through him. Spinning around in the strong grip, Makoto began to thrash wildly, his eyes shut tight. A grunt was heard as Makoto's fist connected with something hard. Deciding to take the risk, Makoto opened his clouded eyes, taking in a sharp breath as he recognized the familiar face, the strong jaw and nose that he had kissed, the silky, dark hair that his fingers has run through on tired nights, the deep, bright eyes that had stared at him with all the love the could hold. It was him, Sousuke, his love. He was back... but... how?

"Sou... Sousuke..? H..How? Wh.. What's going on..?" Makoto had raised a hand to his lover's face, tracing his jaw softly with his fingers. He crimged slightly as his eyes caught sight of the newly forming bruise caused by his own punch. Tearing his eyes away from it, Makoto slowly let his gaze drift up. Chin, lips, nose, eyes. Oh, those deep eyes. They seemed to hold everything Makoto wanted. The answers, love, affection, and something else. Hope. They held hope for their future, a hope that Makoto had lost long ago but was sure to regain.

"I made a promise that I would always come back, didn't I? Well, here I am. Like I said, I will never break a promise to you, Love." A smile quirked at the edges of Sousuke's mouth as he gazed down at his lover, his watery blue eyes gleaming.