I awkwardly tried to pull my keys out of my pocket as I grappled with the numerous carrier bags hanging from my arms and hands. My fingertips were scraping against the keychain in my pocket, but I couldn't quite reach far down enough to grab them. Raising one leg and leaning my body to the side, I finally managed to gain some purchase, slowly, agonizingly pulling out the keys as I pinched my index finger and thumb together. With them finally free, I clumsily pushed the key into the door, turning it and pushing the door open, stepping inside the flat and nearly tripping over as the weight of the bags dragged me to one side. Staggering towards the kitchen counter, I lifted the various items I had purchased onto the side, finally able to stand properly and take in a deep breath. Checking my watch, it had just passed three in the afternoon meaning Ash wouldn't be home for at least another two hours and I still had plenty of time for what I had planned. Returning to the front door, I closed and locked it, taking off my jacket and shoes, putting them in their proper places by the door before returning to my bags. Beginning to unpack them I slowly pulled out and organized everything I was going to need for the night ahead.
Today was our six month anniversary and I had been planning for this day for weeks. Ash had been having an especially tough time lately as his Mum had resurfaced, but as per usual, it wasn't so she could reconnect with her son, but instead begging for money to buy more booze or asking to come and stay with us as she'd been kicked out by her latest "boyfriend." Ash had of course refused, learning long ago that fueling her behavior just made things worse, but his mood had definitely dipped and he'd needed a lot more attention from me lately. This just meant that I wanted tonight to be even more special, so he could forget about everything going on around him, university, housework, socializing, his mum, everything, instead just focusing on the love I have for him. I smiled softly to myself as I pictured his beaming face in my mind before returning to the task at hand. First I needed to set up the bedroom, taking two of the bags into what used to be my room, but was now the space we both shared and where we slept together.
Emptying out the bag onto the bed, I sorted through the various items I'd purchased in town, starting with the tealights. I placed them all over the room, on the bedside tables, along our dresser and windowsill and by the time I was done, there wasn't a square inch of available space that didn't have a little candle waiting to be lit. Next up were a pair of love heart shaped balloons which I inflated and tied to the headboard, making sure they would be well clear of the flames of course. While I hoped that the flames of our passion would be hot, I definitely didn't want to start a house fire, although that would certainly make for a memorable anniversary! Finally I took out two huge bags of rose petals, scattering them across the floor, out of the bedroom door and down the hallway to the door that opened into the main living area. With some candles left over, I decided to line them up along the walls of the hallway too. It would take a long time to light them all, but as I surveyed the scene I had set up, I was happy with my work, picturing how happy Ash would be when he saw it, his dimpled little cheeks blushing as his eyes sparkle like they always do when he looks at me. I could feel my heart beating faster in my chest as I thought about my boyfriend, taking a second to calm myself down before returning to the kitchen. There was still a lot to do.
Checking the time, I only had around ninety minutes until Ash would be home, so I needed to get a move on if I wanted to have everything ready by the time he gets back. Emptying my grocery bags I got to work on our food for the evening. First up was our starter, a true classic in the form of a simple caesar salad. I prepared the lettuce, bacon, cheese, croutons and dressing, putting each into the fridge ready to be put into a bowl and tossed prior to serving. I had bought a premade sticky toffee pudding for dessert which would need putting into the oven shortly before Ash got home, so I turned my focus to the most laborious task, our main course. Ash' love of anime also stretched to Japanese culture in general and I'd spent the last several weeks learning everything I could about sushi making, watching videos online and reading articles and now it was going to be my first try at actually preparing it myself. I was nervous to try, but I knew I needed to do a good job, once again picturing my beautiful boyfriends smiling face to give me the necessary motivation.
Laying out some squares of cling film on the counter I applied each with the sushi rice I had prepared earlier in the day, ensuring all of the space was covered and that the layer was as uniformly flat as possible. Taking the sharpest knife we owned I started adding crab along with some thin slices of avocado and cucumber. Now came the trickiest part, using the bamboo mat to roll the sushi up. I loaded up a video to remind myself of the correct technique and after a couple of attempts, I managed to pull it off. Removing the roll of sushi, I sliced it into individual portions and sprinkled sesame seeds on top. Comparing it to pictures online, it wasn't a bad first attempt at a California roll and I repeated the process again so we would have two portions. I also tried making some nigiri, thinly slicing raw salmon to top small mounds of rice, which was significantly less fiddly than the rolling had been. I probably should have started with them, but nevermind.
Pulling out a large white platter I set about meticulously placing each piece of lovingly prepared sushi on it, lined up neatly to look as aesthetically pleasing as possible. I poured soy sauce and wasabi in little bowls ready for dipping before I carefully slid the food into the fridge and checked the time. Thirty minutes left. I looked around the kitchen to make sure everything was ready to go, quickly setting the dining table and running off to jump into the shower and get ready for the evening of celebrations ahead. Once I had finished my routine I stood with a towel wrapped around my waist looking at my reflection in the full length mirror in the bedroom, my short, wet hair looking like a bird's nest, broad, muscular shoulders and my toned chest and stomach proof of all the hard work I put in at the gym over the past several months. I have never considered myself to be a vain person, but I couldn't deny that I felt good looking at myself now. Investing time into my own personal fitness as well as the love and compliments from my boyfriend had really boosted my self-confidence, but it was very important to me that I didn't let it get to my head, that I stayed humble and grounded. I'd known too many people growing up that I had thought were friends but eventually they'd abandon me when they became more popular, athletic or attractive than me, discarding me like an empty crisp packet into the trash. It was part of why me and Ash had been so close, he'd never left my side, always supporting and loving me unconditionally, always there to comfort me when I'd been let down by someone I thought I could trust. He was my safe place and someone I could always depend on, no matter what.
Dropping my towel I took one final look in the mirror, my cock gently swelling and throbbing as my mind raced at the thought of the night ahead with the boy I loved more than anything else. Opening my drawer I pulled out a pair of tight black boxers that would really hug my body and would guarantee to have Ash going crazy with desire once he saw them, pulling them on along with a matching pair of socks. Going into my wardrobe I took out a pair of smart black slacks and a white shirt, putting them both on before finishing the outfit with my recently polished black shoes. Checking myself in the mirror again, I was happy with how I looked, smart yet casual, my fringe hanging over my eyes a little and a soft smile on my lips. I unbuttoned a couple of the buttons on my shirt to expose some skin and show off my chest, a little hair peeking out and making me look really masculine. I looked good, I couldn't deny it and hopefully Ash would feel the same. Checking the time, I realised that he would be home in a few minutes, scrambling to return my towel to the bathroom and making sure the bedroom looked perfect. With only a couple of minutes left, I set about the painstaking task of lighting all the candles, finishing the last couple with only seconds to spare.
As I walked back into the living room, I heard Ash turning his key in the lock, positioning myself in front of the door and leaning casually against the wall. I wanted to look as good as possible for him and as the door swung open, he came inside, eyes looking towards the ground. He kicked off his shoes, hanging up his coat and bag, before finally turning to face me. The second he laid his eyes on me, his jaw dropped, mouth agape, cheeks turning red as I saw that sparkle in his eyes that made my heart flutter every time. He seemed transfixed for a few moments before looking around the room, seeing the table set for two and smelling the aroma of our dessert wafting from the oven. "What's all this?" He asked in a slightly confused, wavering voice as he took a couple of steps towards me.
"Happy Anniversary!" I exclaimed happily, spreading my arms to welcome him home and Ash immediately ran to me. Wrapping his arms around my waist he accepted my embrace gratefully, head resting against my chest as he bounced up and down on his toes, excited happiness flowing through his body as our hearts both beat faster in our chests.
"Happy Anniversary Bruce," he replied as he looked up at me, those deep brown eyes of his threatening to swallow me whole as I gazed into them. "I can't believe you remembered!"
