Chapter Text
One Year Later
The first two days of the Fair passed rather quickly, but that may just be because two of the village’s couples were excited and deliriously happy. Most of the village already knew what the third day would hold, but anyone else would be informed later that night. On the morning of the third day, three establishments were closed, with signs promising to open again soon.
One was the Miya’s restaurant, which had nearly everyone talking about the reason why they were closed. However, their food cart was parked in the hub of the village, serving up Atsumu’s lox bagels and Osamu’s apple onigiri. They’d made sure to make enough to sell each day, and their assistants happily sold their delicious offerings. If anyone questioned why the restaurant was closed, all they received was an enigmatic smile in return.
Another was the Hinata’s Glassworks shop. They left the curtains on the big front window open so people could see inside. This year’s unveiling had revealed two pairs of brightly colored lovebirds. The tiny birds were huddled in pairs with their little heads close together, as if they were about to kiss. Around the left leg of each bird was a tiny golden band. Mere talk grew to speculation as return visitors began to suspect.
The last closed shop was Akaashi’s Apples and Whatnot. As an offering for being closed, he opened two huge barrels of Honey Crisp apples and put them outside his front door for anyone to eat as a snack. And if anyone connected the flavor of these apples to Osamu’s apple onigiri, they were sure to spread the word.
As the sun rose fully from the horizon, under a white tent in the middle of the Kita’s farm, a small double wedding ceremony was held. Osamu Miya proudly said “I do” to a softly sniffling Keiji Akaashi, who turned the tables and kissed Osamu silly after they finished their vows. Next, as soon as Shoyo Hinata promised to love and cherish Atsumu Miya for the rest of their days, he yelped and laughed joyously as Atsumu picked him up and swung him around in circles.
The rest of the day was spent celebrating the newlyweds. Yet, as afternoon turned to twilight, and then evening, the two couples stayed for a little while longer. It was expected that they’d leave for their honeymoon trips, but they had one last thing they wanted to do. So, the entire wedding party loaded up into a few wagons and made the trip back into the village. The music from the band was played more enthusiastically than proficiently, but no one really cared. Wine flowed freely, and the newlyweds joined in the dancing with everyone else.
They stayed even later, watching the fireworks as they burst in bright color and even louder booms that echoed around the valley. And if anyone noticed them kissing… No they didn’t.
~*~
Ten Years Later
“Thank you for coming! I appreciate your business!”
“Thank you, Miya-san. I just love this shop, and I’m going to tell my friends back home about it!”
“Thank you!”
Keiji watched another customer leave his shop, happily chattering with the friend they came in with. They’d bought several pottery pieces, a few books, and a sack of his apples. Looking around his shop, he still had a few customers left, but he was tired, and he had plans. With a calm voice, he announced he’d be closing in ten minutes, and reminded them that the fireworks would be starting in an hour. It was the last day of the Fair, and he had somewhere to be.
Twenty minutes later, he was walking along the road that would lead him to Miya’s restaurant, which should also be closed. He slipped around to the courtyard in the back and walked into the kitchen from the back door. He smiled and greeted Takumi, Shun, and Kenzo, who were all cleaning up for the night. Through the swinging door, he smiled at Kiko, who was cheerfully counting the money from today’s business.
“They’re all waiting for you in the private room, Miya-san,” she told him as he passed by.
“Thanks, Kiko,” he replied, grabbing a tray of drinks. “You know you can call me Keiji, right?”
“Yeah, but Miya-san sounds kinda cool, dontcha think?”
His smile was soft and bright. “Yeah, it does.”
“Besides, we’ve been calling them Miya-san forever, so it’s habit. We just lumped you and other Miya-san in with them.”
“Right,” he chuckled.
“Kenzo just served dinner, and dessert will be ready soon.”
“Can’t wait. Thanks, Kiko. Thank the others for us, too.”
“I will!”
Keiji took the tray of drinks to the room, and went through the open door. Seated around a table were the other members of his little family: his husband Osamu, and his two brothers-in-law, Atsumu and his husband Shoyo. They all looked up and welcomed him, taking their drinks as he handed them each one. Putting the tray aside, he sat down next to his husband and kissed him.
“Happy anniversary, my love,” Osamu whispered in his ear.
“Happy anniversary,” he replied.
“Oi! Don’t go wishing each other a happy anniversary without us,” Atsumu knocked on the table, holding out his glass as if he were about to toast them all.
“Oh, let them, ‘Tsumu,” Shoyo defended them, even though he held out his glass, too. “I kinda agree with him, though.”
“You would,” Keiji replied, grinning. But for good measure, he kissed Osamu again before sitting up and holding up his glass and looking at Osamu, who slowly picked up his glass and held it up to join the others.
“Congratulations to yet another successful Fair,” he said, sounding bored to tears, and tipping his glass just enough to clink them all together. “And here’s to another year of health and happiness for us as we celebrate our tenth anniversary.” Another clink, and he immediately started sipping his drink. The others did too, but each held a different expression: Atsumu rolled his eyes, Keiji sighed with fond exasperation, and Shoyo was trying his best not to burst out laughing.
“What?” Osamu asked, his smile clearly showing that he knew the answer.
“I mean, you could’ve sounded a little more enthusiastic,” Atsumu said.
“Did I not?”
“No, you actually sounded bored this time,” Keiji told him.
“What? How dare you, sir! I did not sound bored!”
Atsumu repeated his deadpan toast, his voice pitched to sound exactly like his brother.
Shoyo lost his battle and fell over in a fit of giggles, to which Atsumu put down his drink and proceeded to tickle his husband mercilessly.
It was like this every year, the four of them gathering for dinner at the restaurant before leaving to go to their homes. And they kept doing it for years after, celebrating the end of the Fair and the anniversary of their marriages.
~*~
Twenty Years Later
They were older now. Tired and worn, but still happy with their lives and each other. Keiji and Osamu’s once dark hair was now threaded heavily with silver gray strands. Salt and pepper some would call it. Keiji wore glasses all the time now, and Osamu sported a set of his own. More often than not, they’d be seen strolling slowly on the outskirts of town, near the river, spending a quiet sunset together. Atsumu’s hair was more white than blond, and Shoyo’s hair was already bright white. Both moved a little more slower than years past, and sometimes Atsumu could be spotted around the village walking with a cane, but they always showed up to dance each night of the Fair without fail.
They spent more time away from their businesses, now, and were finally ready to pass them onto the next generation.
Kiko and Kenzo took over the restaurant with Osamu’s wholehearted blessings, with Shun and Takumi staying on to help, and hiring a new pair of hands who were excited to help and share new ideas in cooking. They promised to keep the Miya name on the restaurant, and several of their recipes including Osamu’s apple onigiri and miso salmon, as well as Atsumu’s fluffy pancakes and sweet peach topping and his egg-cooked rice with bacon and cheese. But they had their own ideas for new recipes, which was wholly expected, and all the Miyas were given first dibs on tasting each new dish. They also promised that they’d close the restaurant early on the last night of the Fair, so the four Miyas could still celebrate their anniversary.
Keiji’s shop was handed over to his assistant, Hana, who he’d hired on several years ago. He taught her everything he knew and passed on his knowledge of apples. It helped a lot that she also loved apples as much as he did, and she had connections to add even more varieties to their shelves. Her gradual take-over of his shop gave it a more homey feel than ever, with little added touches and decorations that expressed her personality. It was agreed that she’d keep his name on the shop doors for a few more years, and then she could change it if she wanted. The upstairs apartment that had been his and Osamu’s home since they were married was packed up and cleaned, given to her as well.
Shoyo was the only one of them to close his doors forever, with no one to take over for him. Natsu wasn’t really interested in running the place by herself, and neither one of them had children to pass the shop over to. But neither of them was sad about it. They’d closed their shop with smiles on their faces, and a larger nest egg saved between them from the sales of all their pieces. The most money came from silent bidders who bought the phoenix and lovebirds from them, promising a prominent display in their new homes. With her share of the money, she converted their old home into a little bed n’ breakfast, and hired a couple of her lady friends to help run it.
They’d bought two acres of land five years ago, and on it two homes of equal size were built, joined in the middle by a breezeway. Osamu and Keiji moved into one, while Atsumu and Shoyo moved into the other. They each started a small garden behind each home, growing herbs and veggies. They also planted a grove of fruit trees and a small vineyard of sweet red grapes. They kept some, gave some to the restaurant and Natsu’s bed and breakfast, and sold what was left of each harvest.
Life was slower nowadays, but they were still as happy as ever.
As they always would be. Forever.