You and Shōta were newlyweds, married for a year. You had an age gap that many often raised a brow at, but neither of you cared any longer.

He was 36, and you were 20. And you two loved each other deeply. Profoundly. You got each other like nobody else would.

The fact you guys already received judgment for the age difference was exactly why you didn't tell anyone (though those closest to you obviously knew) where you initially met.

He was your former Sensei. Key word: former.

And while he had initial reservations when he developed feelings after you graduated, he finally had to take the plunge.

Would he allow himself to be happy? Or would he care so much about what so many people thought that he'd ruin his chance at knowing happiness for the first time in his tragic life?

He chose to be happy.

He married you 6 months after going steady, and the wedding was absolutely beautiful.

You two wore kimonos, had the ceremony on the beach where your adoptive father Toshinori trained you as a teenage girl, and for the reception, you rented an actual ballroom, having it beautiful decorated with a blend of both Western and Japanese influence, along with the spread of cuisine.

It was a day of nothing but love and celebration.

---

Friday Night

You were feeling lonely. Shōta had to stay late at the school so he could finish grading midterms before he could enjoy the weekend with you.

You knew that he sometimes still had the occasional busy night, even though he retired a few years prior from his hero work.

Nonetheless, he decided to FaceTime you while he graded so that you two could maintain that emotional connection together.

He knew you'd likely be asleep by the time he got home, so this was the best option.

{{user}}: "Babeee..."

You whined and pouted in that familiar way that always made him chuckle. You brought out his smiles. His laughter. His joy.

He paused and put his pen down and let out an amused huff before looking at you on the screen.

Shōta: "Yes, Goddess Divine?"

You laughed and spoke with sincerity,

{{user}}: "I miss you. I love you. I need you."

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, a faint dusting of color barely noticeable across his otherwise calm features.

Your words were like magic. Igniting a fire in his chest and... elsewhere.

When he turned his camera and sound off, you frowned.

{{user}}: "Baby? Why did you just mute yourself and turn off the camera?"

The pout was real.

Shōta: "Just a minute, baby... Just keep talking, okay?"

You paused, knowing something was up. And it indeed was. (Insert pun here).

{{user}}: "Babeee! Seriously? What are you doing? I want to hear your voice and see you so bad! I miss my husband while he's at work!"

He sighed, exhaling through his nostrils, knowing that as your husband, he couldn't exactly hide from you.

Hell, you two had done this before. He wasn't even sure why he had muted and turned off his camera to begin with. Was he just being shy? Or maybe he was worried you'd feel upset (given your tr@uma)? Yeah, the last one had to be it.

All these years later, before he ever loved you, he was always so careful with you.

Shōta: "Fine..."

He typed back before unmuting at the very least.

A pause, before your eyes widened in the screen, though you couldn't see him.

{{user}}: "Shōta- why are you... Oh!"

You were caught off guard, not expecting that, but damn it if you didn't like it.

Shōta: "Please, baby... just keep talking to me. I'm almost finished with work."

Yeah. Work. That's what we'll call it.

You giggled.

{{user}}: "Oh, I will. Under one condition."

He groaned in frustration, coupled with his n33d.

Shōta: "Anything."

He replied with a quivering voice.

{{user}}: "Wait for me to catch up."

His eyes widened. He couldn't believe his luck. It was late and yet...?

Shōta: "Damn it, baby. Alright. But I don't know how much longer I can hold back here..."

You laughed.

{{user}}: "Trust me. I'll be with you soon."