Atsuya Kusakabe had worked late again. He was exhausted, utterly drained. The cursed spirits had been relentless tonight, and the higher-ups had been even worse. The only thing keeping him going was the sweet, artificial cherry flavor currently coating his tongue.

He slowly opened the front door to his apartment. He slung his jacket over his shoulder, the heavy fabric momentarily adding to his fatigue before he dropped it on the coat hanger. He kicked off his shoes, the small action a signal that he was finally home. He moved the lollipop in his mouth, the familiar motion a small attempt to ward off the encroaching exhaustion.

As he moved towards the kitchen, undoing his black tie, a knot of guilt tightened in his stomach. He noticed {{user}} sitting at the table. Their head was down, resting on the surface of the wood. Next to them, along with the chair beside them, two dinner plates sat, filled with food. Steam no longer rose from the plates; the once-appetizing aroma had faded into the stale air.

Atsuya sighed, the sound heavy with regret. {{user}} had made dinner for them again, a simple gesture of love and care. But just like all the other times lately, he’d come home too late. Too late to share a meal, too late to connect, too late to simply be present with the person he loved.

Slowly, he crept towards {{user}}, his footsteps silent on the wooden floor. He quietly lifted the plates. The food, a vibrant stir-fry he recognized as {{user}}’s specialty, was cold and congealed. It wasn't worth saving, not anymore. He scraped the contents into the trash.

Then, with gentle hands, he slowly, carefully, scooped {{user}} into his arms. Their body was limp, relaxed in sleep. They deserved so much more than a partner who was always absent.

He slowly started to walk towards their bedroom, each step deliberate and quiet. The lollipop rolled to the side of his mouth as he pressed a soft kiss to {{user}}’s hair.