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The atmosphere of the party was loud. Extravagance dripping from every decoration— every watch clad wrist, every diamond drop earring. Gold and glitz that could make an old Hollywood star choke. Of course, this was nothing new, and nothing special to the guest of honor— one Kazuya Hyoudou.
The prince sat slumped over in an overdressed throne, encrusted with jewels, gems, and velvet lining, his heels digging sadly into the pristine grass of his 100 acre backyard and venue for his 22nd birthday.
He scanned the guests and staff through his tinted glasses. Fake. All of them. Simple, overacted greetings delivered to him alongside useless, expensive knick knacks added to his mountain of gifts, each of them there only for appearances and posturing, just like the people who brought them.
It's just as Kazuya is about to go into a mental tirade on the moral state of humanity that his phone buzzes in his pocket.
He takes a quick look at the ID before flipping it open and pressing it against his ear.
"Hey."
"Hey! Happy birthday!" he hears Kaiji through the other end, "sorry I'm running late, I'll be there in—"
"Don't bother." Kazuya says with a flat finality.
There's a pause from the other end, just for a moment, then a breath- but before Kaiji can say anything Kazuya continues.
"It's just another stupid birthday, surrounded by useless junk and useless people." he frowns to himself, "Everyone person here is fake. They don't care about me, much less my birthday. And yet they're here pretending they do. So don't come. You won't miss anything." Kazuya grumbles, looking at the myriad of unrecognizable faces in the crowd.
He can practically hear Kaiji roll his eyes on the other end.
"Oh my God Kazuya, stop whining." Kaiji sighs, "I'm sure you haven't even tried talking to anyone so don't go spiraling again just cause you're lonely." Kazuya can hear rustling as Kaiji puts on his jacket, "Listen I'm on my way over so just do me a favor and try your best to enjoy your no doubt extravagant, amazing, no expenses spared party until I do, OK?" he finishes with a patronizing tone that he knows Kazuya hates but can't help begrudgingly listen to.
Before Kazuya can bite back with a Kaiji you just don't get it , he hears the receiver click.
Kazuya looks at his phone, stunned.
He hung up on me!
---
When Kaiji arrives at the mansion, he avoids the front doors, not quite comfortable with formal greetings from the black suits, (despite how much friendlier they've been these days). If he was being honest, it wasn't just the black suits that didn't sit right with Kaiji either. The entire Hyoudou property freaked him out— the oozing wealth so staunch, overwhelming, and caked in the suffering of others that he couldn't even bring himself to be envious of it.
He ducks under a few doors and arches, avoiding staff and guests alike, and weasels his way into the backyard where the main event is.
Stepping past the glass doors into the yard, Kaiji finds himself surrounded by excess he's only ever seen in fairy tales— artisan structures, gold tables, beautiful food, and beautiful people, all more unrecognizable and strange than the last. He knows Kazuya doesn't have this many friends, not even this many business partners. It's uncanny, the feeling of disconnect between the visuals and the atmosphere— almost like a Hollywood set filled with convincing extras, but no real people. Is this how Kazuya feels all the time?
Not keen to dwell on it further, he ducks deeper into the crowd, aware of how much he sticks out amongst the wealthy guests, but trying his damndest to blend in anyways.
Eventually he spots Kazuya, a void within the sea of people, sitting like a lonely king on his throne. His legs are stretched way out, heels dug into the grass and chin against his chest with his arms crossed over his torso. Kaiji doesn't have to wonder why no one was talking to him, his miserable aura palpable even from afar. Still, he was grateful to find him at all, a lone familiar face in a sea of strangers.
When Kazuya spots Kaiji out of the corner of his eye, he betrays the image of a lonely prince for a moment, face lit up with recognition and an excited smile. Just as soon, though, Kazuya catches himself, and turns his face up into a pout, clearly trying to show his distaste for Kaiji's earlier actions.
"Will you cut it out, already? You're such a drama queen." Kaiji says when he gets up next to him, "here." he shoves a small, brown box in Kazuya's face, tied up with a gold ribbon bow.
Kazuya drops his pout, bad mood instantly overtaken by one of genuine surprise. He sits up and glances at Kaiji.
"You got me a gift?"
Kaiji pulls up a nearby lawn chair, sitting so his knees knock lightly into Kazuya's.
"Uh, yeah, of course. It's your birthday. Oh and," he reaches into his jacket and pulls out a white envelope which he tosses onto Kazuya's lap, "here's a card too."
Kazuya glances at it before turning his attention back to the box. It's small— only about the size of his palm. He gives it a curious shake.
"What's inside?"
Kaiji snorts, "isn't the whole point that you open it and find out?"
Kazuya glances at Kaiji, then the box, and starts to unravel the ribbon.
"You know, it was hard to think of a good present to get you." Kaiji explains, "I mean.. What do you get the guy who has everything? So.. Well, I guess it's not expensive or fancy but I did my best to make it as good as I could."
Make?
Kazuya pops open the box to reveal a silver circle of soda can tabs held together with blue rubber bands.
"What is this…?"
"It's a bracelet." Kaiji says with a good humored smile.
"Made of… soda tabs?"
"Beer tabs, actually. Yeah I know it's kind of middle school arts and crafts but it's one of the only things I know how to make." Kaiji scratches the back of his head looking a bit sheepish, "My mom taught me back when I was a kid."
Kazuya looks at it with a grimace, "It's…"
"Wait, read the card too."
"Oh." Kazuya blinks, looking for the card which had landed next to him on the chair.
He rips open the top and pulls out a simple piece of paper, lined with Kaiji's bold handwriting.
He clears his throat and starts to read aloud.
"Kazuya. My insufferable, loud, recently reformed evil psychopath boyfriend."
He sends Kaiji a displeased look.
"Just keep reading."
Kazuya reluctantly continues, "you are one of the most annoying, stubborn, assholes I've ever met." he frowns, clearly irritated, "this is supposed to make me feel better?"
"Just keep going!"
Kazuya sighs out of his nose, holding back his temper for now, "I've wanted so many times to slap a hand over your endlessly flapping lips." he frowns again, "But not nearly as many times as I've wanted to… cover them with my own."
Kaiji can see Kazuya's face heat up and he grins, resting his chin against his hand.
"Underneath that gaudy exterior I see a loveable, talented, genuine person, with an often misguided, but tender heart." Kazuya reads the words with a kind of hesitation and disbelief, shaken by the sentiment that's been so notably absent from his life, "I'm so proud of the progress you've made, and how much further you'll go on your journey to becoming the capable, and compassionate person I know you can be. Love, your long suffering boyfriend, Kaiji. "
Kaiji gives him a wide grin, just on the verge of a giggle, pleased with the reaction his card managed to squeeze out of Kazuya.
Kazuya stares down at the note, hands rhythmically shifting their grip from too tight to too loose. He wasn't sure what to say, what to think— unused to such kind words from someone he knows isn't just saying them to get on his good side.
"I—"
"Woah, are you crying?"
Kazuya looks up at Kaiji.
"What? I'm not—"
He hears a drop fall onto the card, and the unmistakable sound drags his eyes back to the paper. He watches the tear soak into the black ink and reaches up to wipe his face— shocked when his hand comes back wet.
He puts the card down and Kaiji scoots in closer.
But instead of looking at him, Kazuya turns his attention to the crafted bracelet, picking it up gently and sliding it onto his wrist.
"You know, Kaiji." he sniffs and looks at his boyfriend with a soft smile, "This is the best birthday present I've ever gotten."
"I'm glad you like it." Kaiji smiles back.