Chapter Text
KAORU:(in his head) It’s crazy how emotions can change so much, so fast. One minute I’m sobbing, wishing endlessly that something would just be different, then I can’t stop my smile the next. How do I know I’m not just using cheesy overused phrases? Because, it just happened to me. Kojiro was cutting my hair the rest of the way, food in the making. I felt so guilty, so ugly, so dumb. And then, when he finished, I looked in the mirror. It was seeing what “beautiful” looks on me, smelling the aromas of a husky but gracious man’s cooking, feeling the muscles in my lips hurting from how aggressive my smile is. I get up from my seat, wipe my tears, and walk towards where Kojiro is, humming a tune. My arms wrap around his waist and my chin on his shoulder.
KOJIRO: (hides a smile) What now?
KAORU: I’m finally as tall as you. Being shorter sucked.
KOJIRO: At least you aren’t tall-er. And I’m still older and more muscular.
KAORU: Apparently not more mature, though.
KOJIRO:(snickers) Fair enough. But, go sit. I’m almost ready, and I need to prepare it. You’re distracting me.
KAORU: Is that your way of saying I’m making you flustered? You are so bad at flirting if so.
KOJIRO: (still chuckling) Whatever you say, “Cherry Blossom”. I still like that. ‘Got a nice ring to it. Plus, the actual thing matches your hair color.
KAORU: (Goes back to his seat, facing Kojiro)We have a problem with each other’s hair and hair color. A bit of an obsession.
KOJIRO: (shrugs) It just means we’ll never be allowed to dye it. And, we won’t have to always look in each other's eyes, just above. Unless you wanna look at them. They are pretty, in case you haven’t noticed.
KAORU: Oh, shush. And I have noticed. But, still, shut up. Anyways, I was gonna ask, what’s your skating name gonna be?
KOJIRO: Joe. It’s the second part of my surname, that was from my dad, so it has sentimental value, but it also reminds me of the American and Italian name. Fun places.
KAORU: Cool. I still like mine better.
KOJIRO: Even though mine has relations to our love? How rude.
KAORU:(scoffs) I’m sorry? How do they relate to that at all?
KOJIRO: (Plates the food for them both, sitting down and receiving a small thanks) Well, for Italy, the airport talk before going there that I literally never stopped thinking about.
KAORU: (looks down, pretending it's because of the food, eating with a red face) Oh. And America?
KOJIRO: (eating too) Our field trip to LA, in America. So much happened for us.
KAORU: How so?
KOJIRO: Well, first of all, the part I always talk about, that we got lost, and had to work together to get to the right spot. It was just us for hours, in a fun place, together. It kinda reminded me of a date at the time. Also, that was a 3 day trip, so we shared a bed, and cuddled. And talked. And you always fell asleep first, so each night, I just…stared. Kissed you, even.
KAORU:(chokes on his food in shock) Holy shit. That was the room that was low quality for expenses, and had a leak the last night when it rained, right?
KOJIRO: (offering water) Yeah. What about it?
KAORU: The last night I wanted to stay up in secret, so I acted asleep. Was that the night you kissed me?
KOJIRO: Mhm. definitely not all 4 nights.
KAORU: You’re kidding. I should have known. I thought those were just giant drops from the leak. I remember it so vividly, there was one on my chin, one on my cheek, and one on my forehead. Was that…you?
KOJIRO: (blushing) Yes.
KAORU: (after a moment, he bursts out laughing) The irony. That is the worst part of it all, as much as this is all hilarious, that’s the worst aspect.
KOJIRO: How is it so ironic?
KAORU: I was staying up for an update from my favorite online BL comic. The characters had kissed for the first time in the update before. I was thinking about how they were oddly close best friends, just like us, and the fact that I wanted you to kiss me too. I mean, the love interest is basically you.
KOJIRO: No way. No fucking way. I swear to god, if it’s the one I’m thinking of-
KAORU: What?
KOJIRO: Where…Where did you read it?
KAORU: Uh, this app, webtoon. Why?
KOJIRO:...You’re joking. I think I know it.
KAORU: How would you know about it? Phone ads? A friend?
KOJIRO: Possibly worse. What is it called?
KAORU: Osora.
KOJIRO:(pauses then slowly starts to grin teasingly) …You think I’m like Arias?
KAORU: Shush, Ko. You are just, like, muscular and annoying.
KOJIRO: That’s Osora for hot and charming, though.
KAORU: Again, shush and tell me how you know it.
KOJIRO: I’m reading it. ‘Have been for a year. I love it.
KAORU: You don’t want to know how happy I am to hear-
Suddenly, fireworks go off, visible from the balcony nearby
KOJIRO: Oh, right. It's new year's day. I forgot.
KAORU: Really? I did too….you know, in theory, we could sit outside and watch.
KOJIRO: (sigh, but still grins, getting up) In theory, hm? Let's test it.
KAORU: (follows, taking plate with him) You are so damn easy.
They go to sit together on the balcony, and Kojiro grabs his food and a blanket to share. Kaoru puts down his plate to pull Kojiro closer by the waist
KOJIRO: (whistles, putting his arm around Kaoru with a blanket around both of their shoulders) Oh, how strong. You didn’t tell me you've been working out more.
KAORU: I haven’t. My days consist of nothing but skating, calligraphy, technology, and—
KOJIRO: Hold up, technology? Since when?
KAORU: I didn’t say? I’m studying the usage and personal advantages of AI. I’m in community college for it. I want to tie it to skateboarding as well, if possible.
KOJIRO: (snickers) Like an AI skateboard?
KAORU: That was the idea. Don’t judge, wannabe chef.
KOJIRO: Too late. By the way, remind me to help you come up with better comebacks. That was actually, painfully shit.
KAORU: How dare you, gorilla. Maybe I was just faking it so your fragile ass wouldn’t be upset.
KOJIRO: Improvement already! I think I’m just a magical teacher, or you’re horrible at nicknames.
KAORU: (getting closer with every line, and pulls Koji closer by the collar to speak through gritted teeth) It’s neither, moron!
KOJIRO: (finally catches onto the anger and decides to tease him instead) Oh really? Then tell me, what would you name this new AI skateboard, since you’re such a genius?
KAORU: (smirks, enjoying this) I was thinking “Carla”. You know, the girl you got jealous of in grade school because you thought I liked her? That smart one with the purple and black hair.
KOJIRO: Oh, you bastard.
(Now that they are close and happy with this conversation, Kaoru kisses Kojiro. It’s their first one since meeting again, and first one on the lips in many years. Despite everything, it feels like a breath of fresh air, a new start as the new year begins. They both know that this time, everything they will do, it will happen together, with love and support and protection on both sides.)