saltinourstars | Don't threaten me with a good time

[Kaoru is most definitely not okay.]

FINALLY

DON'T IGNORE ME NEXT TIME IT'S IMPORTANT!!

MY GRANDMOTHER'S OVER FOR A VISIT AND SHE'S THROWING A PARTY FOR YOU TONIGHT.

What

Why

I don't want a party

[Except for the Karasuno Host Club event, Kei's mostly escaped the random escalation of nonsense that happens in orbit of the Hitachiin family. Until now. Is it too late to have the driver turn around?]

Trust me, I know that, but my grandmother is crazy

You think Hikaru's stupidly hard headed? Compared to her he's an angel to put up with

I think it might be too late to get away but I swear I'll protect you

[It's true. The mansion's already in view, with... quite a lot of cars in front. Damn it. All Tsukki wanted to do was watch movies. He can feel the tension in his jaw, and forces it to relax. If it was anyone but Kaoru he would jump out and walk home.]

She'd better be okay with a dinosaur sweater

[Yes, Kei actually wore it. It was supposed to be a surprise, but right now he's too thrown to make it a good one.]

YOU WORE IT????

Kei oh my god

I could cry

If she had a problem with it she can take it up with ME I LOVE THAT SWEATER

Glad you do.

[Because Tsukki can already tell he is MASSIVELY underdressed, even with a shirt more expensive then the rest of his closet combined.

He's trying to convince himself he doesn't care.]

Come get me I am not doing this by myself

[Kaoru would never let anyone do his boyfriend dirty by judging him for something like that. He'll kill a bitch, even if that bitch is the family matriarch.]

I'm here for you, babe. I'm already waiting. I'm not gonna make you do this alone.

Okay.

[He does trust Kaoru, but Kei still needs a minute when the car stops moving. Steadying himself so there isn't a trace of emotion on his face. Just like the playoff games.

God, he would rather play Shiratorizawa all over again by himself. Especially when a camera flashes. Which means photographers. Guess it's just one more thing Rich People feel is necessary for a party...]

[Yes, there are cameras, but it's not paparazzi so much as a photographer hired by the very same crazy grandmother hosting this event. She's either really insane, or really trying to throw Kei off his game. Kaoru thinks it's likely both.

He rushes to his boyfriend's side once he emerges from the car, and manages not to yank him into a hug long enough to get him into the house and away from prying eyes, but then all bets are off.]

I'm sorry, I love you, thank you for not running away. [He says all in one breath by Kei's ear.]

Uh-huh.

[He stares straight ahead, not acknowledging the photographer. As though this is all normal. Below even the slightest interest. It's a good show of poise, actually. The only betrayal of the nerves is the crushing grip on Kaoru's hand.]

[Kaoru is right there for him, and he squeezes right back. He then gives the photographer an icy look, before he pulls Kei towards the house. They get inside, and the staff is bustling about, but Kaoru knows their patterns well enough to get Kei to his bedroom without trouble. Hikaru isn't around, so they have the place to themselves.

Once he locks the door, Kaoru sighs and shoots Kei a crooked smile.]

You're here. And you look amazing.

Thanks.

[Heaving out a sigh, Kei leans against the wall. Manages to keep it from turning into a sag. This is only temporary. If the grandmother is as fearsome as Kaoru's making out, she won't accept hiding. And Kei's not a quitter. Not once he decides to care.

He just wants a breath. Maybe a hug, though right now is too frazzled to ask for one.]

You really had no warning at all?

[He's not accusing Kaoru of anything. It's just such a shock to see something this big spring from nowhere.]

[He touches his boyfriend's face with a delicate hand, because wow, the night hasn't even started and Kei already looks totally wiped. But of course he does, considering all the fuss being made about him; he's not one to appreciate the limelight. Kaoru sighs softly and shakes his head.]

Swear I didn't. I think she knew if she'd given me any reason to suspect, you and I'd be on a plane to Switzerland by now. Actually, that might still be an option...

[He's joking, but unlike every other time he's joking, this time his smile falls flat and he can't keep up the facade.]

Kei, I promise she's not really as bad as I've made her out to be. A little nosy and fussy, yeah, but not a bad person. You know how I exaggerate. The worst she'll do now is prod with questions to figure out if you're good enough for me, and you are. Regardless of what she says, you are.

[Kei's fine with the spotlight when it's for accomplishments. Grades, sports, things that can be controlled. He accepts - barely - that Kaoru's classmates gossip about them like an idol couple, but that's at an entirely different school.

This is... a lot.]

Your parents didn't fuss like this.

[For all the grousing, Kei at least doesn't pull away from the touch. Or completely nix the idea of Switzerland. So... progress?]

Yeah, I know. But to be fair, my dad's super shy and my mom's pretty spacey. [Kaoru hums a bit thoughtfully, and then, since Kei seems to be fine with the touch, he presses a little kiss to his lips.]

This probably won't be as bad as you're imagining. You'll get through this. I'll make it as easy as I can for you, okay? I swear. And I'll get Hikaru to cooperate, too. Trust me.

[The kiss is accepted too, even if Kei doesn't deepen it like he usually would. Too aware of the buzzing downstairs. He knows he can handle this, but is still trying to fight back the annoyance at having to.

But it's for Kaoru. He can suck it up for that. Even manages the ghost of a smirk.]

Really. You get some kind of good blackmail on him?

[At least the snark is still strong, here. Things have been... much better with Hikaru, but Tsukki wouldn't exactly call on him for support.]

[Just the fact that Kei willingly allows the little kiss helps set Kaoru at ease. He pulls back with a grateful smile.]

We're twins, I always have good blackmail on him. But in this case, it's more of a "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" situation. He'll do anything to ruin her fun.

Ah. I see.

[That's a familiar strategy. It's why he and Kageyama are able to get along, after all. (Certainly not because there is a grudging friendship growing as they keep working together. What a lie.)

Pulling off his headphones, Kei begins winding up the cord.]

So what 'fun' is supposed to happen?

[Kaoru hums softly, holding out his hand to take Kei's headphones and put them in his nightstand for the time being.]

Well, like I said, mostly it's just going to be questions. The 'are you good enough for my grandson' interview. But you are, regardless of what the old bat says, and I don't think even she can complain. You're a star athlete, top of your class, college-bound, you're incredibly good-looking, and I'm in love with you.

[He sticks out his tongue a little petulantly, then his expression melts into a grin.]

Otherwise, it'll just be a fancy dinner, music, maybe dancing if she's managed to round up enough people, and probably showing off some of her latest floral designs or big name clients or whatever. Nothing scary. Oh, but I should warn you you'll probably be offered alcohol. I don't know if you want to drink, but it's really bad when you don't expect it. Haruhi freaked out the first time.

Wow. With that pedigree maybe she should be asking if you're good enough for me?

[Look. Kei is Trying To Deal and needs to vent it somewhere. The sarcasm his own version of sticking out a tongue. There's at least a small smile with it. So that's progress.

He sighs dramatically at the next obstacle.]

I don't know. If I have to start faking interest in flowers, I might drink.

[This is probably another joke. Probably.]

[The sarcasm doesn't bother Kaoru, given that he would be inclined to agree, anyways. Kei is more than 'good enough' for him, and honestly, he probably could do better. Kaoru's just happy that he doesn't want to.]

Maybe you should tell her that. She might appreciate the sass. Honestly, she's not that traditional. And you can drink, it's fine. [He shrugs.]

It's really up to you. Just promise me one thing?

And what's that?

[Tsukki knows better then to make blind promises. Always get the conditions first. Love or not.]

Promise you'll say something if you get overwhelmed or want to go? [Kaoru is being serious, and he appreciates that Kei is, too.] Don't just put on that stoic face and get sassy.

[That is... not at all where Kei thought this was going. He arches a brow at Kaoru. Keeping his face even so it doesn't betray the sudden lurch in his chest. He would have done just that. Push through, because it's important, because he can just get over it. Right?

Except the last time he had to do that was at the near disaster of the Karasuno Host Club...]

What? Honesty? That's a pretty big ask, you know.

[There'a hand on a hip, about 99% for show. A great sigh to go with it.]

All right, all right.

[Perhaps contrary to how he behaves, Kaoru is definitely observant. He's figured out how his boyfriend thinks, his habits. He smiles at Kei's forced sigh and reaches for his hand.]

Good. Are you ready?

i really hope that's a p!atd reference

:D :D :D

Ahhh I love you

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