Chapter Text
They didn’t talk about it.
They acted as if it were a normal occurrence and went on with their day. The delicious leftovers of the Christmas Eve cenone were served for lunch. Mouth-watering dishes such as abbacchio and manicotti distracted the two from the earlier event. Kojiro wanted to take Kaoru aside more than anything, but knew waiting until night would be the best approach.
Truthfully, he was scared.
Then the sun went to sleep and the moon shone in full, signaling the family that Christmas had come to an end. The kids harmonized with yawns and parents tucked them into bed. Wine and finger foods occupied the kitchen counter space while the adults gathered around it to chat until they grew tired as well. Kojiro decided it was time. He grabbed Kaoru’s hand and laced their fingers together.
“Well, Kaoru and I are calling it a night. ‘Notte !” He tugged a confused Kaoru, who waved at the family and bid them a good night. They walked in tense silence to the room. Once inside Kaoru immediately sat on the bed.
“Okay, Ru. We need to talk.”
“I’m sorry, Kojiro,” Kaoru replied softly, eyes shut and head lowered. “I wasn’t thinking clearly and I made a poor decision.”
“I see.” Kojiro drew his lips into a thin line.
Kaoru’s chin wrinkled and his lip began to quiver. “I’m sorry, Kojiro. I’m so sorry, pl-ease,” he hiccuped, “don’t be angry with me.”
“Oh, Kaoru,” Kojiro whispered and wiped away an escaped tear from Kaoru’s reddened cheek. “I’m not angry. Not at all. I just wanted to know if it was an impulsive, meaningless decision, or something more. Whatever it is, I’m not upset at you.”
Wide, honey eyes shimmered, staring into Kojiro. “I don’t think that’s true.”
Kojiro placed his other hand on the other side of Kaoru’s face, thumbs gently caressing his cheeks. “Why’s that?”
“Things will change,” he whispered.
“Sometimes change is a good thing.” Kojiro stepped closer, leaving nearly no space between them.
Kaoru’s eyes flickered to Kojiro’s lips and back to his eyes. “Perhaps.”
“Can I kiss you?”
“Please.”
Their lips finally connected in fervor. Kaoru’s hands climbed up Kojiro’s muscled back and his fingers tugged at his green curls. Kojiro nearly melted at the touch. He couldn’t help but let a moan escape. Kaoru smiled, poking his tongue against Kojiro’s lips. Their mouths opened and tongues danced together eagerly. Kaoru tugged at Kojiro’s hair, drawing another moan out of the man. They fit together like the stars fit the sky. Moved in sync, mimicking the moon and her tides.
This was meant to be.
~
Kojiro woke up tangled in his new lover’s arms. He smiled at the memory of the night before. “Hey, beautiful, wake up.” He brushed pink hair out of Kaoru’s face. Kaoru grumbled into his chest, making Kojiro rumble with laughter. “Come on, Ru.”
“Hmph.”
“It’s eleven a.m. We missed breakfast. If you get up, I’ll make something special for you.”
Kaoru sighed exaggeratedly and sat up. His hair cascaded down his chest and back. “I want brioche,” he yawned.
Kojiro kissed the corner of his lips. “I can make that happen.”
“Last night wasn’t a dream…” Kaoru brushed his fingers against where Kojiro’s lips just were.
“Mhm. We never really talked after, can we do that now?” Kojiro played with a loose strand of pink.
Kaoru nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, we can.”
“I’m glad last night happened. Fuck, I’m so glad you asked me to do this pretend relationship thing with you, because there’s no way in hell I would have ever had the courage to tell you this before.” He quickly kissed him. “But I love you. I love you so fucking much. I think I’ve loved you since before I even knew what love was.. I’ve wanted to kiss you since we were fifteen.”
“Koji…” Kaoru ran his fingers through Kojiro’s messy green hair. "Hearing that makes me so happy. You have occupied my heart for a decade. I love you, so very much." He kissed Kojiro's jaw. "My Kojiro."
"Oh, I'm yours, am I?" Kojiro grinned.
Kaoru bristled. "Are you not?"
Kojiro kissed him again, sighing. "No, no, I really like the sound of that. Do I get to call you mine too?"
"Please."
~
The following days went by without much of a change. The couple was touchier, clingier, and happy to display their affections openly. Kojiro would wrap his arms around Kaoru as the pink haired man talked with the family. Kaoru would curl up beside Kojiro on the sofa.
The family was beyond excited for New Year's Eve. They had plans to go to the Kokuei beach and watch the fireworks display over the sea. Kaoru loved fireworks. Kojiro liked them enough, but loved watching Kaoru during these displays. He always had a look of childlike wonder in his eyes.
As sunset began to creep up, the Nanjo family hopped in their cars and began the journey to Kokuei. Kojiro and Kaoru drove alone, the two enjoying a peaceful ride to themselves. Kojiro kept a loving hand on Kaoru's knee as the two hummed along to the radio.
People began to crowd the main beach and the sun had set completely by the time they arrived. Before getting out of the car, Kojiro took his phone out of his pocket and texted his mom.
You : hey ma ru & i r going down the beach somewhere quiet :)
Ma : OK sweetie!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️ love u 2!!!!! xoxo
Kojiro smiled and tucked his phone away. "Okay, we're not going to go with the family, is that alright?"
"We're not?" Kaoru raised an eyebrow.
"Nah, we're going somewhere more private. Maybe… We could consider this a date?" He asked hopefully.
Kaoru covered his mouth to laugh softly. "Of course we can."
Kojiro excitedly unbuckled his seat belt and leapt out of the car. He raced to the passenger door and opened it. Kaoru laughed. "Putting on the gentleman act, are you?"
"What? I'm always a gentleman!"
"Yeah, okay."
They walked hand-in-hand down to an isolated corner of the beach. The ocean was peaceful with her tide pulled back. Kojiro led Kaoru down to a sitting area. Picnic tables and benches were scattered around. He climbed on top of a table and spread his legs.
"Sit!" He grinned and patted the space between his legs.
Kaoru rolled his eyes, but obliged. He sat with his back against Kojiro’s body and with Kojiro’s arms wrapped lovingly around him.
"This is nice," Kojiro kissed Kaoru’s exposed neck. "Going into the new year together like this."
"You're so sentimental."
Kojiro faked a gasp. "You don't feel the same? I'm wounded, Ru. You've broken my heart!"
"Oh, stop it, you oaf. Of course I share the feeling, dummy."
"Hehe, good. 'Cause you're stuck with me."
"That sounds like a threat."
"It definitely is."
Before long, small fireworks began to explode above the sea. Their sparks dropped into the water below like falling stars. Kojiro glanced at Kaoru's face. Even from his angle, he could see that Kaoru's eyes were wide and shimmered with excitement. Kojiro couldn't help but stare at him adoringly.
The fireworks began to take the shapes of numbers.
Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Giant letters then burst across the sky, wishing the people of Naha a happy New Year. Cheers erupted from down the beach. "Happy New Year, Koji," Kaoru turned his head to meet Kojiro's eyes.
"Happy New Year, Ru."
They smiled softly at each other before Kojiro knocked his forehead into Kaoru's. "Do I get a New Year's kiss?"
Kaoru snorted. "I suppose."
They brought their lips together in their first kiss of the year. The first of many, many more to come.