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"Hey, I want your blessing!"
There are two reasons why Hitoya Amaguni's dedicated career has an unscripted break on this early morning.
First, he was requested (more like ordered) to take the morning off because he was urgently needed at the temple.
Second, he came figuring the urgency was warranted and would take priority over any work related matters, meetings and calls easily able to be put on hold at a moment's notice.
It's a strange request to be asked first thing in the morning. Hitoya isn't really the religious sort to begin with, so why on earth a Buddhist monk wants something like that from the likes of him makes no sense.
"Since when do you need something like that? Just go ahead and do what you want."
Kuko's serious expression stays. "This is different."
On route to the temple, Hitoya weighed the probability of Kuko getting another assault charge or something of the like. Or that perhaps this was nothing but him abusing his (self appointed) leader position to hold an impromptu Bad Ass Temple meeting (this was more exhausting than the temple staircase).
"What do you need my blessing for?"
"I want to marry Jyushi."
The room stays quiet like it was from the moment Hitoya stepped in. The greeting chirps of birds, the whispering of the soft breeze and the rustle of blowing branches on this fine morning don't even interfere with that.
It's life carrying on around them as Hitoya finally puts a piece together with another, the cogs in his head turning to replay what he just heard.
A sound comes from behind Kuko where Jyushi has been quietly sitting by the table all this time. A gasp so sudden it thrusts him into an unstable coughing fit that has him bracing a palm on the table to keep him up.
He waves his other hand to them, telling them he doesn't need any immediate attention; that he'll be alright in a moment when he gets his breath back.
Hitoya, watching him, realises 'So even Jyushi didn't know about this?'
"Well?" Kuko has a foot tapping by now, the nerves he steeled away starting to creep back.
"Is this it?"
"You saying this don't mean anything, shitty lawyer?!"
Hitoya lifts his blazer jacket to rummage though an inner pocket for his cigarettes. He taps out a stick to light and breathes it in.
"There are two things I find annoying. First, wasting time. Second, that nickname."
Jyushi scurries forward, still on his knees. "I'm -ssorry about him! B-But he sounds like he's serious!"
"Jyushi, did you really not know about this?"
Jyushi thinks back to minutes ago when he had just arrived after getting a scary kind of text.
It was his fault for jumping to conclusions but really, anyone who reads the words 'hey, we need to talk, it can't wait' is surely going to come to the same conclusion that they're about to be dumped!
So he mustered up the courage and held back every single tear with great difficulty until he arrived.
He started rambling; bursting immediately into apologies and hoping for a second chance as soon as he crossed the threshold into the temple. Kuko was waiting for him with an expression he didn't often wear, and it scared Jyushi all the more.
Kuko had told him then, "It's nothing like that. The opposite, actually."
He'd gone shy right after; scratched the back of his head and couldn't keep his eyes focused on one place for longer than a second.
"Just sit here for now. The shitty lawyer will be here in a sec."
"He said he had something to say but he was waiting for you first," Jyushi says. He worried it would be a public break up, but it's actually the opposite! "This is the first time I'm hearing about this, I promise!"
"But what an I here for?" Hitoya asks.
"Duh, I gotta ask for his parents' blessing," Kuko says.
"Well call them here then."
"Not like I hadn't already thought of that, Stupid Lawyer! Jeez, but they're always busy."
'And I'm not?' Hitoya thinks bitterly.
Mr and Mrs Aimono are frequent hard-workers in their careers. As for Jyushi's grandmother...well it would've been amazing to be able tell her the news if she was still alive. To see the ecstatic glow on her face that always lit up whenever her treasured grandson was the topic.
"Besides, you treat us like your damn kids."
"Because you two act like it. Be honest. Do you think you even deserve someone like Jyushi?"
A trick question, if he's being honest, because even people as brash and rough around the edges like Kuko Harai deserve happiness.
"I'm gonna try and be worthy, at least, because I want to stay by his side."
"You're still young."
"That's a shitty excuse."
"You're also the heir to this place. It's gonna be hard to commit to Jyushi on top—"
"We'll make it work! Just shut the fuck up with that noise and give me an answer!"
"Do I even want an in-law as rude as you?" Hitoya plays into their family synergy, afterwards taking a necessary second smoke.
He blows the stream of smoke over his shoulder from where he stands just on the line between inside and outside.
"There are two things I hate. First, people who ask for ridiculous things. Second, those same people still expecting a favour when they ask rudely."
"I'm not fucking around here!"
"What if you hurt him?" Hitoya asks simply with a specific look in his eyes that says what explains knows he doesn't need to.
That when Jyushi hurts, he hurts enough for ten people. That when he cries, it looks and sounds like there was never a time when he wasn't. That every feeling both good and bad is amplified within a heart like his and the slightest mistake can be so catastrophic.
Kuko says, "I won't."
"I still don't get why you couldn't have just called me about this. Or at least waited until I was finished with work."
Hitoya Amaguni is a lawyer. A lawyer who also happens to be involved with these two unlikely twenty somethings because of reasons; he was dragged into being their third teammate and stayed for the chance to battle his old rival.
That's where he ends and begins with them—or should technically.
He's sure as hell not their actual father, and to call them his friends with their age gap would be just a bit odd. Hitoya guesses if he has to put his struggle into an actual question, it's why does Kuko, who has never looked one way or the other for anyone's approval, so desperately want his?
Kuko sees that struggle. He says, "You're the reason I was able to meet Jyushi at all. He told me about how he almost...how he wanted to jump but you caught up to him in time. You saved him."
Hitoya closes his eyes. God, he...he hadn't forgotten, he just wasn't expecting to take that trip down memory lane. It was awful.
He remembers how he and Kuko were at each other's necks, screaming their lungs out at each other, when he got the heads up that a young boy had left him a message and a phone.
The message was all he needed, as cryptic as Jyushi tried to make it. He was gone by the time Hitoya made it out of his office so he ran. He took several flights of stairs like it was nothing, wasn't gonna stop until he saw Jyushi in the sunlight and there he was on the edge of rooftop.
"Kuko-san..." Jyushi whispers.
His heart splits in two: sympathy for the guy he loves holding onto this and a bit of guilt for ever having put Hitoya in such a situation.
"You saved my life, too." Kuko carries on, "And now we're together. I'm asking for your blessing face to face like a man, Hitoya, because it's what you deserve."
"When you guys first started dating, I wondered if I should start praying," Hitoya lets out a soft chuckle at the memory as he elaborates, "You were always getting into shit and I was worried Jyushi would always get dragged into it. But you're not kids anymore. You've both grown into strong, amazing young men."
"Hitoya-saaaan!" Jyushi cries, awed.
Is it true? Has he really become that kind of man like he's wanted to for the longest time? 'Am I finally...' he wipes at his eyes with his jacket sleeve, knowing better than to trust them by now. '...someone to be proud of?'
Kuko snorts, "See, you sound like a dad!"
"You're still a brat sometimes but you're not a bad person. If Jyushi's alright with it then I'm sure you'll be ok together. So go ahead."
There they have it. Maybe he said it a bit too nonchalantly but, oh well. Being all serious all the time isn't really his style. And besides, they must've known before he came that they'd have his blessing.
Kuko passes him an appreciative grin. 'Fucking finally!' he thinks before the relief returns to nervousness when he turns around and puts the spotlight on his boyfriend.
"Jyushi!"
Jyushi jolts, "Y-Yes?!"
Kuko kneels to meet his level humbly, "Listen. When we met it was pretty much a shit-show. I was shoved in a rug and muzzled. Anyone sane would've hauled ass and never looked back."
"Pretty much, yeah," Hitoya says.
"But not only did you trust me to be your teacher that day, you also trusted me to be your teammate. Then your friend, then boyfriend afterward and everyday I think about how lucky I am to have you."
Jyushi's head turns left to right and he whines argumentatively, "I'm the fortunate one! I-I must've been troublesome to deal with since I kept crying—"
"You still do."
"E-Even so, you haven't ever given up on me! I'm grateful to you!"
"Hey now, don't steal my speech."
"Sorry! Please continue!"
Hitoya shakes his head at them, chuckling fondly.
"Jyushi, you've been through hell and being with me wasn't any picnic. So thanks for not giving up on me either. You know I fucking love you."
More than he ever thought he could love a person. Every moment spent in Jyushi's company is a moment he swears his heart is going to burst out of his chest.
"And I want to make a promise to be with you for as long as possible."
From within his jacket pocket, Kuko produces the beloved and famous Amanda in a box. Between her usually empty hands is a small, black ring that catches the daylight in a dreamy gleam, stealing Jyushi's breath away as he looks upon it.
The gemstone center is an aquamarine crescent with a light hue of violet purple coming in from the edges.
Jyushi reaches for Amanda to cradle in his hands and look deeply at the ring. His ring. A traditional sign of devotion. A work of art to showcase one's eternal love for another.
He hadn't even been aware that Amanda was missing, and realizing that stops his heart for about a second. She must've been borrowed last night when he fell asleep in Kuko's warm cuddle, the movie they were watching still playing in the background.
He couldn't have known but Kuko had stayed up watching him; tracing the shape of his face and length of his lashes with eyes, the tips of his fingers and bow of his lips with his fingers, his heart saying the three words he already knew with every beat.
"I visited your grandmother's grave last night to ask for her blessing too."
Jyushi's head snaps up with his mouth agape. It twitches to form a reply but there's nothing. He trembles against the urge to cry but drops are aready falling, some landing over the ring.
"I told her that you've become even more amazing and that you have a nice smile."
Jyushi covers his mouth, knowing it's doing anything but smiling nicely. It's wobbly and shaky; every breath in to calm himself is a rocky breath out that has his whole body shudder uncontrollably.
"I told her I wanted to take care of you and she could trust me to do it. I told her you're still a crybaby but I promised her the next time you cry, it'll be from all of the happiness you're going to receive. And if you ever feel lost again, I'll be there. If you're the fourteenth moon, Jyushi, then let me be your faithful star."
Jyushi breathes out a shaky chuckle from the corniness. "Kuko-s-san…you really...want me?" Despite it all, this has to be a dream, right? "Because I-I'm not special, you know! I'm just—"
"The love of my fucking life.” Kuko gently but firmly takes Jyushi's trembling hands into his own and rubs his thumbs over them, “No matter what you or anyone else says. So do me this honour and please become my husband."
That's what does it; sets Jyushi off like never before into a seemingly endless sob. Muffled and quiet but the tears unleashing at a strong rate like rainfall. He'd wipe them away but...not at the expense of taking his hands away from Kuko's.
Amanda and the ring, ever the loving symbols even when damp with his tears, practically glow.
Hitoya steps towards them into their line of sight, "Jyushi, what's it gonna be? You want to spend the rest of your life with a guy like him?"
Jyushi shakes his head violently, "N-No! Not a guy like him!" He sees the fear that strikes across Kuko's eyes.
Jyushi holds his face and leans in to kiss him, going beyond his usual reserved self to declare his answer passionately. Kuko returns it with the same vigor.
"You," Jyushi says when they pull apart but stay so close, "I want to be with you, Kuko-san. Forever. Yes."
Kuko shouts, "H-hey! Don't scare me, I thought you were rejecting me!"
Hitoya says, "Would've been the smart choice."
"Fuck you!"
Jyushi presses a grateful kiss to Amanda's head in exchange for the ring he plucks from her grasp and slips on his finger. Splaying them out beneath the sunlight, the ring glimmers even more so like something out of a fairytale.
"Beautiful," Kuko says.
Jyushi sighs happily, "Yeah, it truly is."
"You, Jyushi."
Jyushi lets out a little squeak. When he turns his head, he finds two golden eyes already on him—as they were the entire time. Jyushi ignores the heat on his face and how new to being bold like his boyfriend he is and kisses him again, this time without the intention of going easy or stopping so soon.
Hitoya eventually clears his throat to break them apart when they look too into it. "Good grief. There are two things I hate. First, Kuko's bad influence on you. Second, catching you two moments before having sex."
Jyushi's face becomes an even deeper shade of red as he tries his best to spew out excuses that don't even seem convincing enough. He settles with an apology instead and scoots away from Kuko a bit, to the monk's irritation.
"Sorry my ass!" Kuko snaps, "It's what married couples do!"
"Kuko-san, Hitoya-san doesn't need any mental images of us being in-intimate!"
"No, I'm suffering with the real images..." Hitoya mumbles. He's caught them a few times being close and they've all mutually agreed to never speak of it. "Hey, Kuko, just so we're clear, if you ever hurt Jyushi, there's no place on this planet you'll be safe in. Not even in hell."
Kuko scoffs, "Relax, I'm not gonna hurt him." He sneaks an arm around Jyushi to pull him forward and the latter messily bumps into him in a fluster. "Not unless he's into that kinda stuff and begs for it."
"KUKO-SAN, PLEASE STOP!" Jyushi sobs hard into his hands, red faced and overwhelmed.
Hitoya glares, "I could sue you for indecency."
"It was a fucking joke! Sort of."
Jyushi shakes his head and explains that, "I'm just so happy…that someone can love m-me this much."
Kuko smirks, "Better tell Amanda she's got hot competition!"
"No way! Kuko-san, I love you very much but even you can't compare to Amanda!"
"The fuck?! You're really choosing that damn ugly pig over me, Jyushi?!"
"She's not ugly! Don't be jealous, I don't love you any less. You can both sleep next to me."
"Tell her to take a hike!"
"Kuko-san, you're being ridiculous!"
"I'm not the one choosing a stuffed toy over their fiancé!"
Jyushi sniffles like he might cry again but he ends up smiling through it, "We just had our first fight as Fiancés!"
Kuko clicks his tongue but lets himself be happy over that fact as well. He pets Amanda in good spirits; she’s done well to watch over Jyushi all this time. Hopefully, she can entrust the responsibility to him now as well.
Hitoya nods, feeling like this is a good a place as any to excuse himself. "Congrats to you both. If that's all."
Jyushi stands up quickly, "Wait, please, Hitoya-san! Could you...please give me away in place of my grandmother?"
The temple room becomes silent like it was before again but this time with a heavier vibe.
Hitoya is silent for a long time; long enough to make anyone think he's upset. He isn't even facing their away, and the sunlight casting against him only leaves a masking shadow across whatever expression he's wearing.
He clenches and unclenches his hand rhythmically. He clears his throat yet still, "Y-Yeah, sure." The voice that comes out is quieter and shakier than they've ever known it to be from him.
"Hitoya-san? Are you..."
Hitoya pinches the space between his eyes as a tear falls. 'These damn kids' he laments with a smile. "I'd...I'd be honored to, Jyushi. If you'll have me."
Jyushi's tears follow suit with his. He nods, smiling before the sunlight. "It can't be anyone else."
Kuko steps closer to the temple doors to join them, an understanding but still cocky smile on, "A man should cry for two reasons only, right?"
"That's right." Hitoya says and wipes his wet eyes dry.
Straightening himself up and without turning around, he steps over the splitting threshold and back outside, heading down the staircase.
"Hey, Jyushi, let's celebrate."
"Hitoya-san is right there!"
"I was talkin' about going out to dinner. Why, what were you thinking?
Jyushi looks away, "Nothing! S-Same as you!"
"Yeah? You look awfully red though."
"K-Kuko-san, please!"
Hitoya can imagine them perfectly. The liveliness of their youth, of their bond and their budding forever, it gives him more than two reasons to walk away with a smile on his face.