saltinourstars | Don't threaten me with a good time

[There's the sense of another language being spoken. And some flowers have meanings, don't they? Unfortunately Kei's not fluent. Kaoru may as well be speaking Spanish.

It seems to satisfy the grandmother, though. There's a long, studious smile, then she turns her attention to Hikaru instead. Who jumps right into an argument. Almost too enthusiastically, as though trying to cover. Reels in Kaoru for it, if he can.

Kei turns back to the crab cakes. Mentally repeating that list until he's sure he has it.

Hydrangea, peony, camellia... forget-me-nots.]

[Kaoru allows himself to get drawn into the debate, backing Hikaru up as they insist the flowers their grandmother chose for the day's ugly flower crown don't compliment her outfit. It's a nonsensical argument, but it shifts the attention off of Kei.

They lose stream after a few minutes and the next course comes out, so the little fight dies. Kaoru turns to Kei, just to check in with him, with a little smile on his face.]

Ugh. [He says dramatically, rolling his eyes.] Family. How are you doing?

[That at least gets a chuckle out of Kei. He's even relaxed enough to enjoy the food. Though his mouth settles back into a line when the next set of dishes gets wheeled in.]

Is there much more? I'm really not that hungry...

[Between the stress and his already ~~small~~ perfectly normal appetite, there's not much room left. But how do you politely decline in this circumstance? Kei can't just shove it away like when Nishinoya's annoying him.]

[At a party like this? There's always more. But Kaoru can tell that Kei's near his limit and needs an out, and he's happy to provide one. He looks across the table at Hikaru, and they have an immediate, wordless conversation in just one glance. Hikaru nods and tilts his head in Kei's direction, and Kaoru turns to him with a bright smile.]

I think we've participated enough that we can be let off the hook for socializing now. And eating. [He takes Kei's hand under the table and squeezes it gently.] Let's head back to my room?

... All right.

[He's not sure how they're going to manage without another interrogation... unless that silent conversation was somehow a plan?]

[Sure enough, after Kaoru looks at Hikaru again, the elder Hitachiin twin 'accidentally' elbows a glass off the table, and the resulting crash has all eyes on him. Not to mention, the wine in the glass spilled on their grandmother's lap.

Stifling a laugh as people rush to clean the messes and make sure things are okay, Kaoru prods at Kei, and the two of them are able to get out of the room. It's very likely they were seen, but no one comes after them regardless, so it's also very much a win.]

See, having a twin can be useful sometimes. [He grins at Kei as they walk down an empty hall back to Kaoru's room.] What did you think?

[Kei knows how to make a quick exit. There's been plenty of practice ducking Daichi's lectures.

It's already quieter in the hall, which is such a relief he can even manage a bit of teasing. Smiling back and nudging at Kaoru's shoulder.]

Well, I see the family resemblance!

[Then, more serious - ]

...How do you think it went?

[Kei is being charming and playful again! Kaoru decides he didn't end that all a moment too soon; any later would just have been prolonging Kei's suffering.]

Hey, don't give me too much of a hard time about that. You didn't get to choose to be related to Akiteru-san, right?

[He's teasing back, because of course he actually likes Kei's older brother. He inadvertently embarrasses Kei so much and gives Kaoru lots of stories about his brother's childhood. But he sobers up, too, because he knows what Kei needs to hear.]

I think you were amazing. Just like I knew you would be. [He smiles.] She liked you. Everyone liked you. But I like you most of all.

[There's an exaggerated eyeroll at the mention of Akiteru. Who of course takes every opportunity to be open and friendly. And also an utter embarrassment. The latest incident involving photos of second-grade Kei in a dinosaur costume.

Anyway - ]

I'm glad she did. I mean, It doesn't matter as much as you, but... I'd like your family to like me.

[It's surprisingly hard. Admitting he cares what other people think.]

[Kaoru has those photos backed up on the cloud, and on every hard drive he could get his hands on. Those photos are more dear to him even than his own twin.

Still, he's too busy being heartwarmed to spend too long thinking about baby Kei. The Kei in front of him, being uncharacteristically soft and vulnerable, is so much more appealing. Kaoru reaches out to him, and laces their fingers together.]

Aww, [He murmurs with a fond smile.] Careful, Kei, it's starting to sound like you want to spend a long time with me.

[And also finally wearing that damn designer dinosaur sweater. Let's not forget that.

There's an automatic huff. Even as Kei allows the hand-holding. Even squeezes back. It's quiet enough now, the guests down other hallways.]

Why else would I put up with all this?

[The sweater is just the icing on the tasty Tsukki cake. Kaoru loves Kei even when he's poorly dressed.

Kaoru feels like he's been gutpunched when Kei is so candid about his feelings. He can't even keep up the playfulness. He's breathless as he replies.]

It feels good to hear you say that. Come on, I want to repay you for today.

[In the form of extensive makeouts.]

[Excuse you. He dresses fine!]

Oh really?

[Lead on, then. Kei's not going to argue. It was what the plan had been, after all. Before they got sidetracked by this madness. Which honestly? He should expect by now.]

By the way, is this traditional in your family? Have I passed? Or is this what New Year's is going to be like too.

Edited 2018-09-21 21:46 (UTC)

I wouldn't know about traditional -- it's not like I've ever brought a boy home before. And you know Hikaru hasn't, either. But you definitely passed. I'll do what I can to get you out of having to attend any more parties.

[Kaoru pushes the door to his bedroom open with a sigh of relief, but then grins at Kei.]

I mean, at least until our engagement party.

Weren't you just complaining we're too young for that?

[With a long-suffering sigh, Kei slips out of his shoes. It's always weird wearing them indoors. European style is so bizarre.]

I never said that. [He responds innocently, kicking his shoes off too so that he can climb onto the bed before he makes grabby hands at Kei.] We are young, but I'm excited to spend forever with you.

[How can Kaoru be be sure about that? They're only in high school, heading for college next year. Not that Kei's interested in dating anyone else... it's just so much will happen in that time.

You know what? Forget it. He's earned the right to turn off thinking for a bit.

He even accepts the grabbing. Following it through into a kiss.]

[Kaoru returns the kiss with a soft moan, cuddling Kei close to him but keeping his arms relaxed. His whole body is relaxed, even, because he had been more nervous about Kei meeting his insane family than he'd wanted to let on. But he's sure some of that emotion is coming through in the somewhat needy kiss.]

Kei, [He whispers by the other's lips.] I like you so, so much.

I like you too. More then anyone, maybe.

[They've used 'love' before this, and that's important. But "Like" was used first, and still feels... bigger, sometimes.

Since Kaoru's gone agreeably clingy and boneless, Kei just sort of scoops him into his lap. Settling against the headboard. This is nice. Like being able to hold an entire world in one place.]

[Kaoru's heart feels like it grows three sizes in his chest. He inhales deeply, his head on Kei's collarbone, and then sighs.]

I like you maybe more than anyone else, too. [And that's pretty huge, considering his relationship with his twin brother. It's not that Kei has replaced Hikaru, though, it's just different. Hikaru's been there for as long as Kaoru's been alive. Kei is someone he found on his own.

He listens to Kei's heartbeat by his ear with a fond smile on his face.] Thank you for putting up with all this.

Edited 2018-09-28 01:28 (UTC)

[It is an enormous thing for Kaoru to say. Not to be taken lightly.]

You're welcome.

[Goosebumps rise on Kei's skin, from the puff of air. Since they're in the bed anyway, may as well get comfortable. He works a corner of the comforter loose, pulling it over their legs.]

You're worth putting up with things.

[When Kaoru realizes what Kei's doing, he squirms to help, and soon they're nice and cuddled under the comforter. He tilts his head up to kiss his boyfriend deeply, a little moan coming out with the intimate gesture.]

[Absently Kei rubs circles into Kaoru's shoulders. Not pushing anywhere in particular. Just enjoying being here. In this strange house, with his peculiar, pretty boy.]

I never expected to get here. Did you?

[He does not mean the bizarre party. This whole thing started on a whim. Goading and one-upping, neither backing down. Who knew it could have any kind of lasting consequences?]

[In this position, Kaoru can't quite shake his head, so he just hums.]

Definitely not. I just thought, wow, he's really cute. I didn't think you'd ever agree to go out with me, and then when you did, I didn't think it would last. I just thought we'd have fun and then go our separate ways.

Technically we did do some of it out of order.

[For example: Challenging each other to sex on a piano before their actual first date. Details. It all worked out.]

Does it ever make you... I don't know. Nervous? That it does keep going on?

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