I'm Latching Onto You

I stared out the tiny airplane window, looking down at the city below. I could see the lights of Tokyo and I couldn’t help but smile. I was finally coming back home, permanently. Life as a Colonel in the Japanese army had taken a lot out of me. I’d been gone for ten months, and I had missed my friends and family dearly. Most of all I had missed my fiancé Atsumu.

I stumbled into Le Renard Noir one night alone, feeling hungry and a little lonely. He chatted me up at the bar, regaling me with all this nonsense about fortune-telling. But he was sweet and funny, and his smile made me melt a little. Soon I found myself returning almost nightly just to see him. We began dating three years ago, and he’d proposed to me just before I left on my last tour of duty.

While I was away I’d watched for news of him and the other Black Foxes. I respected him enough to know that it was a part of his life and it wasn’t my place to change him, even if I didn’t always like how dangerous it was. Then again, with my choice of career, that was really about as good as the pot calling the kettle black.

But now I was going to be able to be home and live with him. We could finally plan our wedding and start our lives together.

I smiled happily and felt my heart begin to race as I felt the plane start its descent to the ground. I could barely contain my excitement, and had to remind myself that a Colonel practically jumping in their seat would be very inappropriate.

I pulled out a compact and checked my hair and makeup. I was wearing my fatigues and boots, but I still wanted to look good before Atsumu saw me. We’d been able to video chat on a few occasions but we were limited to email and letters for most communication. I sat back in my seat and soon I felt the wheels bump against the tarmac, as well as the plane begin to slow. I turned my head and looked out the window to hide my grinning face while the plane was being taxied.

As soon as the seatbelt light came off, I stood up, grabbing my pack and waiting as patiently as I could before I could walk down the aisle. I soon stepped onto the ramp, trying not to run towards the gate. I still had to get through customs before I’d see Atsumu by the baggage claim. I wondered for a moment if the other Black Foxes would be present, but kept on moving.

I finally saw my goal, the down escalator towards the baggage claim. I stepped onto it, impatiently tapping my boot as it moved slower than a snail on a cold day. I had somewhere to be!!

I soon saw what I swore were Atsumu’s shoes, and as I came down further I saw him holding a big sign with my name and rank, and I saw the other Black Foxes getting excited next to him. My eyes met Atsumu’s and we both just smiled wide. I felt my eyes get hot and knew the happy tears would be coming soon. With a few steps left on the escalator, I dashed down them and practically threw myself at Atsumu, rank be damned.

I stood on my toes, my arms squeezing around his neck as I cried happily into his neck. I felt his arms pull me hard against him, clutching me just as hard as I was. I barely heard the others clapping and cheering around us, being their happy selves, and happy too that I was back home. All I heard was Atsumu’s baritone voice through my chest, and his simple words.

“Welcome home, Colonel.”

I squeezed him harder and pulled my head far enough away to kiss him hard. He returned it just as eagerly, and my chest felt so full of pent up emotion I thought I would burst. Atsumu broke away just enough, his hands holding my face, like I was more precious than any Japanese de Vinci creation. His thumbs wiped away my hot tears, and I could see tears welling up in his own eyes. My eyes widened as I looked closer at his face.

“You shaved your beard! Why?”

He looked a little sheepish before smiling.

“My fortune today said I would have a life of happiness and love if I made a change to my appearance.”

I stared incredulously at him before bursting out laughing.

“That’s completely absurd I hope you know.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle too. “I don’t care, I’m not taking any chances! It’ll grow back.”

I rubbed a few more tears from my eyes before looking around at all the other guys. I couldn’t help but notice Takuto’s pout.

“What’s wrong, Takkun?”

He frowned before speaking. “I can’t call him Beardy anymore! Do you know how hard it is to come up with good nicknames?”

We all laughed at his silly comment, and soon everyone was crowding close to give me their welcomes and pats on the back. They had all missed me too, and I’d missed being surrounded by their antics. With Atsumu’s arm around me, we headed for the baggage claim. I knew they were going to throw me a welcome home party at LRN, and I smiled happily.

I looked forward to my new life, and knew that a future with Atsumu and the others would never be boring.