Don't threaten me with a good time - For Fragrant_hitachiin

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[Kei ignores the first buzz of the phone. And the second. He's going to see Kaoru in a few minutes, and it's fun to get him riled up sometimes. Besides, this is a new song. It deserves attention.

But by the seventh text? Okay, that's getting ridiculous. Kei scowls and digs out the phone to find a string of... SOS messages? Whatever's wrong, Kaoru sounds panicked.]

What's going on

Are you okay?

Comments

Work gets crazy because of holiday weekends they are The Worst

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No. I'd rather not give her that ammunition.

[Ever the strategist. He's promised honesty, but sometimes you make sacrifices for the team. The short-term benefit of an early escape would probably bite them in the long run. It's tempting, though/ Especially when it feels like everyone in the room is discussing him.

Time to find something else to think about.]

The silverware goes from the outside in, correct?

[fragrant_hitachiin]

[It definitely upsets Kaoru that Kei feels so strongly about this but is enduring it anyways. He doesn't even really know if he's worth all that. Under the table, he squeezes Kei's hand tightly.]

I'm going to find some way to make this up to you. [He says in a whisper, having leaned in.] You're too good to me.

[Then Kaoru leans back, sitting in such a casual manner so as to belie that little moment of intimacy.]

Outside in, yeah. See, you've got this.

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[There is the briefest smile. Even a squeeze back of the fingers. Unfortunately Kei needs his hand back to navigate the minefield of spoons and forks. At least most of the food seems to be straightforward. He knows how soup and salad work.

But the next dish... he's not quite sure if it's edible, or one of the dreaded flower arrangements promised earlier. He chances a glance at Kaoru.]

What is this?

[He hopes that's quiet enough to pass under the conversational level. But their hostess may still pick up on it...]

[fragrant_hitachiin]

[A quick glance at the family matriarch would show her in conversation with one of the guests, though the way her eyes dart over to Tsukishima for a moment may indicate that she's heard. Either way, she's distracted.

Kaoru leans in so he can whisper back.]

Crab cakes on top of quinoa. The sauce is a remoulade, and it's probably a little spicy.

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[All right, those are all words. Kei runs them back over and nods. Sounds safe enough.

Then Grandmother Hitachiin is breaking in again. "Tsukishima-san, we were just debating how the orchids are looking. What do you think?"

Oh. Wonderful. Another test.]

[fragrant_hitachiin]

[From the side of his eye, Kaoru can see the very minute stiffness in Kei's shoulders. He swallows his bite of food, in no particular rush, then nonchalantly rolls his eyes.]

Kei isn't an orchids person, he's more... hydrangeas. Peonies. Camellias. [Everything about him gets a little softer, from his posture to his tone, and he glimpses at Kei before he adds.] Maybe even forget-me-nots.

[Pride. Bravery. Love. And then, True Love. Kaoru's grandmother is well versed in hanakotoba by nature of her profession, and there's no doubt she understands what Kaoru's confessing to. Across the table, Hikaru looks a bit striken, and their mother might be misty-eyed. For Kaoru, there's no shame in what he's said, and he meets his grandmother's gaze head on before somewhat pointedly eating another crab cake. Maybe now she'll back off his boyfriend a little.

There's no way Kei knows what he's said, but that's okay. Maybe a little safer, even.]

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[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.]

[fragrant_hitachiin]

[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?

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[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.]

[fragrant_hitachiin]

[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?

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... All right.

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

[fragrant_hitachiin]

[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?

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[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?

[fragrant_hitachiin]

[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.

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[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.]

[fragrant_hitachiin]

[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.

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[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?

[fragrant_hitachiin]

[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.]

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[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.

[fragrant_hitachiin]

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.

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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.]

[fragrant_hitachiin]

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.

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[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.]

[fragrant_hitachiin]

[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.

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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.]