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"Kazuki, here's my sister's number. No pressure," the woman said, handing Kazuki a piece of paper.
Kazuki thanked her nervously as he took the scrap and shoved it into his pocket. When he was out of sight of the daycare he let out a heavy sigh.
He had gotten carried away the other day when he mentioned how tired he was of being single and the other mother's were now trying to hook him up with friends and family members left and right. He couldn't find it in himself to decline them outright.
Having a girlfriend in his line of work was too difficult and too painful, he'd learned this from experience. Not only that, but now he had a kid and a very unconventional coparenting situation. Kazuki wouldn't even know how to start describing his relationship with Rei and Miri, let alone find someone who would be on board.
Of course no one at the daycare knew the full truth, and they only just realized that Kazuki and Rei weren't a couple recently. To them, Kazuki was now the most eligible bachelor they knew.
Miri was at daycare, but Rei and Kazuki didn't have a job to do at the moment. He was planning on cleaning the house a little and preparing some meals for them. Part of him wanted to blow it all off and go gambling instead. Maybe pick up a one night stand to feel some human warmth.
He shoved those feelings to the back of his mind when he got home. His daughter came first after all, and she needed her laundry done.
He grabbed her laundry basket from her room and picked up stray pieces of clothing that didn't quite make it to the bin. He put some of her stuffed toys in position on her bed before leaving to do the laundry.
By the time noon came around, he had finished the laundry and cleaned up some of the living room. He started cooking up some lunch for himself and Rei, who had not woken up yet after a late night of gaming.
Normally he didn't mind chores, but today it felt bleak.
He wondered if Rei ever felt lonely like he did. The man was quiet and closed off. Kazuki didn't think he'd ever had a girlfriend. He couldn't remember a single time where he talked about a woman. The only person he really seemed to have an interest in was Miri.
Rei's past wasn't totally clear to Kazuki, but he knew he had a tough upbringing and that the scars on his body weren't all from work. Maybe he truly never had time for relationships.
"What are you making?" a low, raspy voice spoke into his ear.
Kazuki almost jumped out of his skin, and the squeal he let out didn't sound like it came from a man at all.
He stumbled around to face Rei, who looked as deadpan as always.
"You scared me. Curse your silent footsteps," Kazuki mumbled.
Rei didn't respond. Instead he bent down and picked something up off of the floor.
"What's this?" he asked, showing Kazuki the piece of paper that he received from one of the daycare mothers.
"Some of the moms want to set me up with their family or friends. They keep giving me women's phone numbers," he explained.
He took the paper from Rei and tossed it into the trash. Rei tilted his head in confusion.
"Why not go? I thought you liked women," Rei said as he picked up a spoon and tasted the ramen broth that Kazuki had been cooking.
"How can I with this job and Miri? And you," he replied.
Rei hummed, taking another spoonful of broth.
"Wouldn't it be better for Miri to have a mom and a dad instead of two dads?"
Kazuki's eyes widened. His heart fell to his stomach.
"Do you not want to raise Miri anymore?" he asked Rei, panic rising within him.
"I didn't say that. You have been sighing a lot lately," Rei said before pausing briefly. "What if you become unhappy and Miri never learns what love is?"
Kazuki had never heard Rei even mention the concept of love. He loved Miri, but he never really said that.
"What about you? I've never heard you even talk about your feelings or romance," Kazuki pointed out.
"I never thought about romance. I wouldn't even know it if I saw it."
Did that mean that Rei had never even seen love? Did his parents not have love for each other at least? He knew he couldn't ask directly. Those kinds of questions were off limits for them.
"What if Miri doesn't know what love is either?" Rei continued after Kazuki had been silent for a while too long.
That's when it clicked. Rei was parenting in his own weird, detached way. This was all coming from a place of concern for their daughter.
"Why don't you go on a date then? I know the moms think you're a real catch too. You're just harder to approach," Kazuki suggested.
"I'll pass," Rei answered, a look of utter disgust on his face.
"Why not? Dating is fun! It feels so nice to be touched by another person," Kazuki said.
He turned off the stove and poured the ramen into two bowls. They sat across from each other and Rei started slurping away messily.
"Pass," he said with his mouth full. Kazuki clicked his tongue.
"Such a waste of good looks and money," he sighed.
"Good looks?" Rei said, seemingly confused by the statement.
"You didn't know? If you cleaned up a bit and smiled you'd be a solid ten out of ten. You're totally scary though, people are too afraid to approach you."
Kazuki had a hard time believing that Rei never noticed the longing looks people gave him when he entered a room. The moms at the daycare went mad for him.
He only barely noticed Rei's cheeks turn slightly redder as he averted his eyes. Kazuki thought the ladies would lose it if they saw him right then. He might even become more popular than Kazuki.
"Whatever," he grumbled, bottom lip poking out ever so slightly.
Maybe Kazuki was too touch starved. That must be why Rei looked so appealing right now.
"We could always show each other some affection. That way neither of us have to date," he said without thinking.
He expected Rei to give him the same expression he had when Kazuki told him to date. Instead he made eye contact and kept his cold, pouty composure.
"How would we do that?" he asked.
Kazuki was frozen in place. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Seriously?"
"If I have to do it with someone I'd rather it be you," Rei answered honestly.
Kazuki had never entertained the idea of dating men until this moment. Maybe he just needed to be presented with the idea first. Rei was staring him down and he could feels chills run up his spine.
He reached out and took Rei's hand that was resting on the table across from him. Rei flinched at first, but relaxed soon after.
"Let's start with this," Kazuki said with a smile.
Rei's hand was warmer than he thought it would be. He always imagined him to have ice cold skin to match his demeanour. He was pleasantly surprised to feel some heat.
Kazuki ran his thumb across the back of Rei's hand, the action making Rei stiffen up. But, he relaxed again after a moment. His skin was soft and pale, Kazuki wanted desperately to bring his hand to his face and nuzzle into it.
He peeked up at Rei, who had the bottom half of his face covered with his free hand, eyes fixed on their only point of contact. Even with his face covered, Kazuki could tell he was blushing up to his ears.
A deep and heavy sigh left his lips, and Rei's eyes met his.
"You don't like it?" he asked, attempting to pull his hand out of Kazuki's.
Kazuki gripped him harder, stopping his escape.
"I like it," he admitted.
Rei's eyes widened for a brief moment, the slightest bit of emotion coming through. Kazuki couldn't take much more of this.
He stood up from the table and pulled Rei up with him. With one arm he scooped Rei up and seated him on top of the table and placed his hands on either side of his hips.
"Have you ever kissed before?" Kazuki asked him. Rei shook his head. "Can I kiss you?"
Rei paused and averted eye contact again. A couple seconds passed before he closed his eyes. Kazuki took that as a green light.
He leaned forward and kissed Rei's cheek first, then the corner of his mouth. He bumped his nose against Rei's as a warning before he kissed him full on the lips.
Rei was stiff at first, clearly unsure of what to do. But, after a couple kisses he loosened up, following Kazuki's lead. He was clumsy, but Kazuki couldn't get enough.
He couldn't remember the last time he wanted someone so badly. And he couldn't believe he wanted Rei of all people. His partner in crime, his roommate, his coparent.
He was touch starved, that was it.
Kazuki slipped his tongue into Rei's mouth, properly tasting him. He was addicted already, he could tell. Rei made a noise in surprise and Kazuki wanted to hear what other sounds he could make.
Rei started to copy Kazuki's movements with his lips and tongue, and the kisses got better and better. Rei was a fast learner when he wanted to be.
Rei pulled away to take a breath, but Kazuki wasn't done. He kissed along Rei's jaw and down his neck. When he sucked a mark into the pale skin, Rei shivered and grabbed the front of Kazuki's shirt.
Kazuki pulled away to take a good look at Rei. He'd never thought Rei was particularly cute, but right now he looked downright adorable. His lips a little swollen, cheeks flushed, eyes dark and sleepy. Kazuki wanted to eat him up.
"I don't think we should do that in front of Miri," Rei said, still out of breath.
Kazuki couldn't help but steal another kiss.
"No, we shouldn't. You're just a lot sexier than I thought you were. Couldn't hold back," Kazuki said honestly.
He slipped a hand under Rei's shirt, gently running his fingers over his stomach. He could feel the bumps where there were scars, a reminder of how dangerous his partner was. And yet, he was pliant under Kazuki's touch, letting him do whatever he wanted.
Rei twitched when Kazuki touched near his ribs. His face was beet red, a deep colour Kazuki had never seen on his face even after hours of exercise.
They made eye contact and Rei looked as though he was begging to be kissed, so Kazuki obliged.
The kiss was hotter this time, Kazuki slipping his tongue in right away. Rei was making small whimpering noises that made all the blood in Kazuki's body run south. He felt Rei up under his shirt, touching everywhere he could.
Rei was losing his strength, back tipping slowly toward the tabletop. Kazuki grabbed the back of his knee, pulling Rei flat on his back. Rei responded almost too naturally, wrapping his legs around Kazuki's waist and holding him close.
Kazuki broke the kiss and licked a stripe up Rei's neck. Rei's head hit the table with a thud. Kazuki chuckled against his neck and kissed down to his collarbones. He sucked another mark into his skin.
Kazuki wasn't normally one for hickies, but for some reason he felt territorial. He couldn't believe he was suggesting that Rei go on a date only a few minutes ago.
He yanked up Rei's shirt and kissed down his heaving chest, down his stomach, until he got to the button on Rei's jeans. He ran his tongue over a sensitive spot while he undid the button.
Then, Rei shot back up pushing on Kazuki's head.
"Wait! I... can't yet," he said, winded.
Kazuki smiled at him and leaned forward to kiss his forehead. He supposed he was moving too fast for someone with no experience.
"Sorry, sorry," he said leaning his forehead against Rei's.
He couldn't stop grinning. He knew he'd look stupid if he tried to conceal his happiness, so he didn't. Rei stared back at him, almost unreadable. But, Kazuki could see a hint of curiosity.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Rei asked.
"Like what?"
"Like you love me."
Kazuki hadn't realized he was making such an expression. Yeah, he was smiling, but just how much affection was spilling out of his eyes?
Maybe it was true. Maybe he did love Rei. More than just as his partner. More than just a best friend.
"You wish," he teased, planting a kiss on Rei's cheek.
Rei grabbed the collar of Kazuki's shirt and pulled him in for another kiss. It was short and sweet and caught Kazuki completely off guard.
"I guess I'm starting to see what all those women go crazy for," Rei said, letting go of Kazuki's shirt.
Kazuki's heart felt like it might jump out of his chest. He wanted to stop time so they could be like this forever. But, Rei turned his head, staring at his full bowl of ramen.
"Ah," Rei spoke again, "The food's cold."
Kazuki moved out of the way so Rei could stand up properly. He had another pout on his lips.
"A waste of ingredients and perfect preparation," Kazuki sighed, eyeing the soggy noodles and vegetables.
They cleaned up their waste, Rei helping Kazuki dry the dishes he washed.
He couldn't stop glancing over at Rei. He was seeing him in a new light, one that made it hard to keep his hands to himself.
He silently thanked the woman who gave him her sister's number that morning.
Once he washed the last dish, he handed it to Rei and immediately hugged him from behind. This time, Rei didn't flinch or stiffen up. He just let Kazuki hold him while he finished drying.
"Are you gonna be like this all the time now?" Rei mumbled when Kazuki buried his face into the side of Rei's neck.
"Why? You don't like it?" Kazuki asked, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
He thought he felt Rei chuckle.
"No. I like it."