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To be honest, Kyojuro wasn’t sure his father would ever learn to move on.
No matter how many people pass, no matter how many people weep and mourn, life will always move on. The days will still pass, years will go by, everyone grows and dies. Kyojuro was thankful that Shinjuro managed to understand this, despite the many years he spent drowning in grief and anger from the loss of his wife. Kyojuro’s mother.
But now. Kyojuro stood proud and tall as Shinjuro smiled at him. Shinjuro was proud to have a son like Kyojuro. Such a bright and brilliant child in Shinjuro’s eyes.
Tears were in his eyes as he fixed the tie Kyojuro very messily attempted at doing himself. He was glad to have this back.
There wasn’t a day that went by where Kyojuro didn’t think of how cruel he used to be. Sometimes he still feared those rough hands that now held him reassuringly. It’s all he ever wanted, but it would never be the same.
Senjuro is also getting better. He tended to avoid their father, though he’s trying to get closer. Shinjuro as well. They’re both trying to build up their relationship. Kyojuro understood though. Senjuro was younger, he had more bad memories than good. It was only Kyojuro who had remembered his nice days vividly. But despite Senjuro’s fear of their father, he finds himself being selfish. He hopes it would all just be better now and that nothing from the past should matter. It just does.
“Kyojuro, are you excited?” Shinjuro brought his son out of his thoughts as he questioned him. He made careful work with fixing up his red tie. Kyojuro adjusted the sleeves as he thought.
“Just as much as I am nervous, I suppose.”
Shinjuro chuckled, turning him to look in the mirror in the bathroom. “First dates do that to you. Are you sure you’ll be okay with them?”
Kyojuro replied, “I am sure.”
“But theres already four people, that’s a bit too much,” His father frowned. Kyojuro knew he wasn’t aware that polyamory was a thing and he still didn’t entirely agree with it at first. But Kyojuro explained to him that their relationship is very reassuring and they welcomed him with open arms. Their communication was strong as well, and any sort of disagreement was resolved quickly.
“I think the thing I was originally worried about was not meeting their expectations. But I can assure you, they really are wonderful people. They don’t close each other off in favor of one person, it’s sweet.” Kyojuro explained. Shinjuro hummed in thought as he grabbed the comb on the counter and kicked a stool near them so Kyojuro could sit down as he worked.
He pushed his shoulders down and Kyojuro acted accordingly. He allowed himself to get comfortable in his seat and once he did, Shinjuro spoke, “Okay fine. But if anything happens, I know their address.”
Kyojuro only laughed. But he knew Shinjuro was only half joking. That means he was still half serious.
They fell into a silence as Shinjuro began combing his hair. It was one of the peaceful moments Kyojuro wished they’d had a long time ago.
Thankfully, it was here now. After everything and all the yelling and anger towards each other that was mostly one-sided. It was gone. And now his father smiled at him like he was something worth cherishing. It made Kyojuro feel quite validated. This was how it’s been for a bit.
How it always should have been.
They even all went out for dinner. Given it was quite awkward, they eventually settled down. It ended with Kyojuro laughing so hard he choked on his food, Senjuro who was tearing up trying to stifle his laughter, and a very hearty Shinjuro. They acted as a functional family, Kyojuro hopes it’ll stay that way.
“You have such unruly hair,” Shinjuro muttered as he worked his way through a tough tangle. Kyojuro’s hair was just as wild as his, but Shinjuro stopped letting his grow out once he started caring more. It was more manageable that way. Still, it left Kyojuro in a predicament.
He let his hair grow because he thought it fit him nicely. With his added smaller ponytail in the back, he remembered when Tengen had told him it suited him well. The girls enjoyed brushing his hair, adding small accessories and fixing up hairstyles for him. Kyojuro liked his hair a bit more after that. He let his hair remain long.
Senjuro as well. Though he got tips from one of his friends. He remembered Senjuro telling him that the boys mother was a cosmetologist. He said he’d share his newfound secrets eventually, but he hasn’t yet. So his hair is tied up nicely without struggle while Kyojuro has a full on brawl with his own every morning.
“Don’t I get it from you?” Kyojuro responded from his previous question. Most men that are born in their family are strikingly similar and they all held very similar characteristics. Though Shinjuro once said the softness he held came from his mother.
Shinjuro scoffed and tugged on the comb a bit harder and managed to get through the tangle. “Oh hush. You’re the one who grows it out.” He spat back, there wasn’t any aggression in his voice. He was being playful, another thing Kyojuro wished he had been like a long time ago.
They both shared a laugh and a silence was once again shared between the two of them.
This was also disturbed when Senjuro opened the door to observe them. Kyojuro saw him in his peripheral vision and also heard the door.
“Your date’s car just pulled up to the driveway, I’d suggest you wrap it up now.” Senjuro announced.
“Oh! Thank you, Senjuro!” Kyojuro exclaimed, though he was a bit startled at this. He checked his watch for confirmation. Tengen was a bit early! He never was early to anything, maybe he was prepared for this first date.
Shinjuro roughly patted Kyojuro’s shoulders and smiled at Senjuro. He gestured for him to come closer, and Senjuro did. But his shyness prevented him from speaking.
“How do I look?” Kyojuro asked. Nerves were getting the best of him. Normally, appearance wasn’t something he was worried about. But he’d like to look appealing. He’s had been interested in these people for quite some time now.
Senjuro and Shinjuro grinned like children(senjuro was a child, but he was rapidly reaching adulthood.) and they both gave him a thumbs up.
“You look handsome!” Senjuro confirmed.
“I agree. You’ve grown up to be a fine son, Kyojuro.” Shinjuro added in agreement.
Kyojuro felt a huge wave of relief rush through him at this moment.
He quickly thanked them and he got up to open the door. He found himself feeling quite shy seeing how beautiful the man standing in front of him was.
His hair was beautiful, his makeup was about the same, he had a confident air surrounding him. He wore a suit that fitted him quite well and a very cute bow tie. It was adorned with small gems, which Kyojuro found very endearing as well.
Tengen spoke, not once taking his eyes off Kyojuro, “The girls are in the car. Said they didn’t wanna ‘intrude’. They’re gonna meet your dad and brother soon enough anyway, I didn’t see the problem.”
Kyojuro laughed. It was reasonable of them, he would explain to Tengen later. Senjuro is quite shy of strangers, especially women he doesn’t know. And Shinjuro would be slightly awkward, he’s not adjusted to the idea of Kyojuro in such a large relationship.
“No, It makes sense,” Kyojuro started. He finally brought his eyes to meet Tengen’s. He had been staring right at his chest shamelessly and he didn’t realize until Tengen cleared his throat to grab his attention. Oops. He stumbled over his words trying to finish his sentence, “You look very good!”
Shinjuro entered the scene from beside Kyojuro, his arms crossed as he observed the taller man.
Tengen brought his attention to Kyojuro’s father, he smiled and offered his hand to shake. Shinjuro accepted and nodded to him.
“Where are you two going?” Shinjuro asked. He was going to test him.
“A fine restaurant. It’s popular, very romantic, your son will have a good time.”
“What time is he coming back?”
“I’d say about 10:30… 11?”
Shinjuro raised a brow. Too indecisive for his liking.
Tengen nodded and made up his mind, “10:45.”
“Do you have a criminal record?”
“Oh, big time.” Tengen joked. Shinjuro chuckled at this.
Kyojuro suddenly felt embarrassed to see this exchange.
After a bit of chatting from the two, they finally wrapped it up because they noticed Suma aggressively hitting the windows and getting smacked by Makio. Kyojuro laughed at this, Tengen smiled, and Shinjuro was a bit confused.
“Is Senjuro not here?” Tengen asked. He stood a bit straighter to somehow see him past the two similar Rengoku’s.
Kyojuro nodded, “He is. He’s just a bit shy!”
Tengen responded, “I see. Tell him I said hi next time, are you ready to go?”
Kyojuro looked at the hand he offered. They were big. Kyojuro blushes once he remembered those were the hands to cradle him the night he asked Tengen out. The same hands to cup his face and bring him to a kiss. The same hands that now welcomed him and assured Kyojuro that it would be okay.
While Kyojuro was nervous time and time again and he’d always think, ‘Are you sure? Will it be okay? No. Something will go wrong,’ he’d receive reassurance. Now, he was sure it would be alright. Everything was getting better now.
So he took Tengen’s hand as the man led him down the steps to his car.
He smiled as he was greeted by Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma. One kiss on the cheek from each of them.
He allowed himself to enjoy himself and settle down. He conversed and joked with them, they ate good food and shared entertaining topics. He’d taken a photo with them and sent it to both his father and his brother. They both sent encouraging messages.
Kyojuro as able to relax. He was happier now.