"Always and Forever"

Fandom: Free! Iwatobi Swim Club

Pairing: Seijuurou Mikoshiba/Makoto Tachibana

Summary: Small drabbles of Seijuurou and Makoto, living their lives together in their happy apartment in Kyoto. (sequel to Always)

Disclaimer: I don't own this series or these characters!

One

It was perfect in the Mikoshiba-Tachibana Kyoto apartment.

Once the two had settled in with the basics they had (minimal furniture being a table, couch, and a few chairs, a large enough bed for the two of them being the biggest splurge purchase along with a new comforter set and pillows, a small set of silverware and dishes, a desk to share, etc), they were more than lucky when their parents had helped them out with making sure that they were on their way and could live comfortably and happily on their own. Especially with having to still attend classes and balance other things at the same time.

Seijuurou was glad that in the first place he did ask Makoto to help him scout out apartments. He didn't want to be the one to choose possibly the wrong place, and especially if it was his new living quarters outside of a dorm room for once, he wanted it to be perfect, and he also wanted Makoto to like it as well even before the brunette had announced his entry into Kyoto and attendance. It wasn't too big, not too small, it was just right for the two to comfortably live together and happily. They had made what they could with the space, opting out to paint the walls until the weather heated up so that they wouldn't be trapped in a small space with paint fumes wafting around, and placed picture frames and knick nacks around to remind them of their friends, family, and the good times throughout their lives. It really came together after the first two weeks of living there, in their place, the togetherness and closeness that they had always wanted and albeit scary step to some, but Seijuurou enjoyed it and so did Makoto. They had made it theirs, as Seijuurou and Makoto's, and it was uplifting to think about the developing domestic life.

"It's really starting to come together, isn't it?" Makoto had said once they had gotten rid of the last box that contained some decorational knick knacks for the living room, smile wide on his face.

"It feels like...home, doesn't it?" Seijuurou had slid his arm around Makoto's waist, admiring what was theirs. "It may not be Iwatobi or otherwise, but."

Makoto smiled at the redhead beside him. "I still love it regardless. Like how I love you."

Not wanting to rely solely on money from his parents at the time, and with discussing it with Seijuurou first, Makoto had wanted to take on a part time job. At first Seijuurou was concerned because he didn't want Makoto to wear himself out, so they looked at his class schedule first, and knowing the determination that he had and with a smile and kiss, told Makoto that it would be fine. One agonizing job search that was limited to places near campus and the apartment later, Makoto landed a job at a small florist shop ten minutes away from the apartment, and Seijuurou was estatic that he was successful in findinng something that seemed really pleasant and would have a calming atmosphere for the brunette. But nothing beat Makoto's happiness when Seijuurou got the call from one of his professors that he had landed the internship and his schedule would be changing to accomodate his classes and traveling to the office (thankfully close) he was assigned to once a week. With classes, respective after school jobs, internships, and swimming made things tough, especially on first-year Makoto, but they made things work with their respective schedules.

"Marketing, Mako! It's perfect." Seijuurou was beaming, glowing almost, unable to contain his excitement as he showered Makoto with kisses and crushing hugs. "So perfect!"

"You're going to do amazing, I know you will! Now c'mon, we need to go celebrate! My treat." Makoto tugged Seijuurou upwards, and laughed at his protesting whine of leaving their comfortable spot on the couch. "Dinner and a movie in then, I assume?"

"That, and then I'm going to love you extra hard tonight." A golden eye winked, and then he laughed once Makoto's face turned pink.

Having to assign chores wasn't an issue, thankfully. The couple knew what had to be done to have a happy, clean home, and didn't step around it when moving in after the first week. When dishes had to be done, they were done. When things had to be picked up, they were picked up. No yelling, no arguing, no bribes to make the other person do them, not even being tired stopped either boy from doing things around the house. Laundry was switched off every week in a pleasant cycle, and were content with how things were handled. The only deal that was made between the two was if either one had their hands full with an essay or otherwise, the person who ended up doing most of the cleaning would earn their favorite meal and a special massage.

And then there was Tama.

The two had to fight to convince the landlord that Tama wasn't a burden, would be a pleasure to the other tenants and they would definitely keep track of her. It was the worried thought that since Haruka wouldn't be home that she and the other strays would be alone that made Makoto panic in the first place. His parents said that they would take care of her and the rest of the pack since after all they were right down the street and wouldn't run off because they were familiar with the Tachibanas. At first Makoto said that it was fine, but as time went on, and she wasn't only his cat, but also Seijuurou's, the guilt of leaving her behind ate at him never before. She wasn't just a stray. She was special to the couple, and so brought on the conversation of getting her fixed once they got enough spare money (just in case), and her staying with them in the new apartment. After an hour of reasonable thinking, Makoto and Seijuurou agreed that it was worth fighting for, and went to talk to their landlord immediately to see what could be done. Followed by another hour of talking it out and pleading he was worn down as well, and the two were more than estatic and greatful to be able to have their feline companion with them.

"Should we...get a litter box, then? She is fixed, so if we let her out would it be a problem?" Seijuurou was weighing down their options. "I mean, it's not like the outside is an issue, here."

"Yeah, but...new place and all..." Makoto frowned.

"She didn't have any issues from the train station to Haru's now, did she?" Seijuurou picked up their cat, pushing her wet pink nose to Makoto's and pretended to be Tama. "I'll be fine, MakoMako! I'll be safe outside and then come in and cuddle you and Shiba lots!"

Even when things got rough, Makoto having a long day with work and classes, and Seijuurou stressing out over his internship and classes and then swimming mixed in, at the end of it all, returning to their apartment to see each other, to be together, made the stress all worth it. From waking up together, to walking to classes together, to eating together, to be able to do more things together than before, and then to go to sleep together, their daily routines became the best part of their lives.

Because they were side by side and happy, and that's all they ever wanted.

Author's note: I MISSED THESE TWO SO IN ALWAYS SO MUCH I JUST...I DO. But yes! Just small domestic drabbles about these two cuties living together! uwu