[Sakusa's not the type to nod or smile during conversation, but he listens carefully and comes to better understanding with each example. Despite how long they've known each other, these are things he didn't know about Ushijima.
He catches onto the gist fairly quickly, coming from a similar mindset himself. Living up to others' expectations never ends well, especially when those expectations overlook the particularities of a relationship. Applied to them, Sakusa suspects the point is that their similarities and commitment to each other is more important than living up to any notion of a typical romance. Although Sakusa puts little to no investment in anybody's expectations except for his own, he feels closer to the other man, more than anything, after hearing that he feels the same, especially in his vision of a happily quiet partnership. Sakusa catches onto one detail and treasures it with a smile after Ushijima says it: Ushijima doesn't understand trends, and Sakusa doesn't care for them altogether. They're perfect for each other.]
Rather than slowing down, I want to take the next step forward with you. I see why you would choose somebody like me now. We have a much more favorable foundation for a relationship than your parents or your previous relationship. For me, there's nobody in my heart except for you, and I don't think there ever will be, even if we put an end to this.
That said... I won't lie to you. I have expectations. You claim to care for me, and I believe you. And so, I expect you to prove that to me every day. I expect you to never break my heart. I expect you to work beside me when things go wrong, and not give up on us. I expect you to give me nothing less than your best effort to make this relationship work.
So long as we can agree on these terms, I am confident in our resolve to each other. Of course, these expectations are ones I expect of myself as well.
[No "I'm sorry to hear that"s or "That's unfortunate"s or even a "Is that okay?". Ushijima says he wants Sakusa, and this is who he is, down to the demanding and intense bits that tend to put off everybody else. He looks at where they're joined by the wrist and then up to Ushijima, curling his wrist over Ushijima's hand. Flexible wrists, after all. If sharing germs isn't a love language, Sakusa doesn't know what is.]
no subject
He catches onto the gist fairly quickly, coming from a similar mindset himself. Living up to others' expectations never ends well, especially when those expectations overlook the particularities of a relationship. Applied to them, Sakusa suspects the point is that their similarities and commitment to each other is more important than living up to any notion of a typical romance. Although Sakusa puts little to no investment in anybody's expectations except for his own, he feels closer to the other man, more than anything, after hearing that he feels the same, especially in his vision of a happily quiet partnership. Sakusa catches onto one detail and treasures it with a smile after Ushijima says it: Ushijima doesn't understand trends, and Sakusa doesn't care for them altogether. They're perfect for each other.]
Rather than slowing down, I want to take the next step forward with you. I see why you would choose somebody like me now. We have a much more favorable foundation for a relationship than your parents or your previous relationship. For me, there's nobody in my heart except for you, and I don't think there ever will be, even if we put an end to this.
That said... I won't lie to you. I have expectations. You claim to care for me, and I believe you. And so, I expect you to prove that to me every day. I expect you to never break my heart. I expect you to work beside me when things go wrong, and not give up on us. I expect you to give me nothing less than your best effort to make this relationship work.
So long as we can agree on these terms, I am confident in our resolve to each other. Of course, these expectations are ones I expect of myself as well.
[No "I'm sorry to hear that"s or "That's unfortunate"s or even a "Is that okay?". Ushijima says he wants Sakusa, and this is who he is, down to the demanding and intense bits that tend to put off everybody else. He looks at where they're joined by the wrist and then up to Ushijima, curling his wrist over Ushijima's hand. Flexible wrists, after all. If sharing germs isn't a love language, Sakusa doesn't know what is.]