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The past few days, Rei has been trying and failing to get whatever was on his mind out in words. Kazuki was probably just as frustrated as Rei from not knowing what was going on.
He was finishing up the dishes, vigorously scrubbing as his head replayed all the stunted conversations Rei has started.
"I think we need to- No, no, no..."
"Kazuki, we need to talk about-"
"About the other day..."
All of those talks ended with Rei walking away with defeat. Kazuki didn't even say anything, he just stood there accepting it. But not today.
Rei and Miri walked back in the living room, carrying their respective switches. Video game time for the kids. Rei's eyes caught his as they settled on the couch, they liked to just look at each other lately. He had no problem with that, Rei was easy to look at. The talking part was the hard part. And to be honest, Kazuki could sort of guess what Rei was so desperate to clear up.
Before Miri, their relationship was easy. Kazuki balanced Rei out by making sure he was taken care of: food, clean clothes, a clean house. Rei balanced Kazuki out by providing a roof over his head. They were the perfect duo for their line of work as well. They do their job, kill some people, get some info, and on the off chance their adrenaline is still running high when they get home- They have sex. It wasn't often, and they never talked about it, but not for the reason Kazuki would have initially thought.
It just worked like that. Why talk about a broken system? They weren't tied down by each other, then it was just convenient.
Now, with Miri and the word family bringing them together... Kazuki could tell the sex they had was full of an emotion they didn't expect to appear. They had sex for the first time since Miri just a few days ago, thus Rei and Kazuki's dilemma.
Do we talk about it?
The sounds of their devices and Miri's excited voice made Kazuki feel full. Seeing them on that couch, cuddled close, Kazuki knew he never wanted to be alone again. He had what he wanted in this house. When the dishes were dutifully cleaned thrice over, he made his way to the arm of the couch, sitting just over them.
Rei briefly eyed him, looking up before focusing back on the screen. He was letting Miri win.
"Ah! Good job!" He praised Miri as she beat her Papa in Morio Kart. She jumped on the couch, throwing a fist in the air,
"Take that Rei Papa!"
They all sat that way a bit, Kazuki watching them play the same game over and over. He was glad Rei liked videogames, because sometimes entertaining their daughter was almost impossible.
After a bit, Miri kept losing her focus on the game, looking up at them.
"What is it, dear?" He asked.
She pursed her lips, then paused her game. She squinted at them before smiling, "Kiss!"
Rei put his switch down, and with no hesitation, leaned forward to plant a quick peck on her forehead. She giggled, pushing him back.
"But you asked for one?" Rei noted.
Miri pointed at Kazuki, "No, Papa. Rei Papa needs to kiss Kazuki Papa!"
As cute as her wishes were, Kazuki had to figure her out first. "Why do your Papa's have to kiss?"
Miri settled, grabbing Rei's arm. "Well..." She fidgeted, "Kotori-chan and Hinata-chan said their parents start fighting after they haven't kissed each other for awhile." Kazuki deflated as her face quickly changed to one of worry, "I just didn't want my Papa's to do that too!" Her arms wrapped around Rei's hand, hugging it close.
Rei looked up at him, face serious. Yeah, parenting time, their least favorite part of this whole thing.
Before Kazuki could think of a proper way to approach a response, Rei was on it, "Miri." He waited for her to meet his gaze, then his free hand went to cup her cheek, "Kazuki and I fight all the time, I think you're a little late for that."
Miri immediately cried out.
Great. Thanks Rei. Kazuki swooped her up, ignoring her loud sob in his ear as he gave Rei the lip. He wanted to be mad, but he knew what would make it up to her.
When Rei looked away, Kazuki could have sworn the man had a blush on his cheek. "Hey, Miri? Miri." He shook her, getting her attention. She sniffed, looking at him with a red face.
"If Rei Papa and I kiss, will that make things better?"
Rei leaned against the couch's arm, concealing his face with a hand. The man was definitely blushing. This wasn't fair, he was so cute like this. Miri hugged him, her smile felt against his shoulder. "Rei Papa and Kazuki Papa won't fight?"
He stuck his hand out, reaching for Rei's. The dark haired man looked at it a moment, pensive, then took it, standing.
"Miri." Rei whispered, pulling her attention back to him. Her eyes were glued to them.
Kazuki did it quick, side-saddling Miri on his hip to place a barely-there press of lips against Rei's. They had kissed before, but being watched by Miri even made Kazuki's cheeks heat up. A squeal rang loudly in their ears, Kazuki quickly putting her down. She jumped in place, grabbing their legs. "My Papas!"
Rei was still looking at him, though, eyes softened.
Kazuki met them, "We aren't going anywhere." He said it for both of them.
When Miri finally settled down for bed, Kazuki made his way back to Rei on the couch. He sat beside him, looking at Rei until the man paused his game. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Kazuki echoed back.
"Are you asking for something?" Rei asked, briefly taking one more look at the hallway to verify Miri was in bed.
Kazuki nodded, "You could say that." He was asking for something alright. He wanted to talk. He was tired of waiting for Rei to find his words, and wanted this conversation to start already. However, Rei seemed to think he was there for a different something.
Rei set the controller down, then shifted facing him. A hand reached out to brush fringe behind Kazuki's ear, then pulled him close for their lips to meet in the middle. They weren't as awkward now as they were with Miri. Kazuki let Rei lead them into a kiss, and just when a tongue ran along his upper lip, he pulled away. The hand in his hair fell. If Kazuki didn't have any willpower he would have pressed back in, Rei's reddened lips were lazily parted, begging for more.
"Not what I was thinking, actually." Kazuki confessed, then under his breath he said, "As much as I wanted that."
Rei furrowed a brow, leaning back in his seat. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry." Kazuki sighed, "I actually am sorry, too. You've been trying to talk about us for a few days now, and I do nothing to help. I just let you walk away."
"You want to talk?" Rei asked.
God, he was thick. "No! Yes, Rei, we both need to talk! With Miri around it's obvious things have changed. I just want to know what you're thinking." There he said it.
And as blunt as ever, Rei replied, "Well, um. I have been thinking about Miri, and how we're going to explain our relationship."
"Our relationship." Kazuki was thinking, 'Is that all? That can't be all.'
"Yeah, us. She didn't exactly grow up watching the most loving of people." Rei was making sense. Her parents didn't love each other, they didn't love anyone but themselves it seemed. Kazuki could see how Rei would be thoughtful in showing Miri how two adults are supposed to look like when they're in love.
In love. Kazuki swallowed at the thought. He was in love with Rei.
"So, you weren't worried about what we are to each other?" This was what he thought Rei was twiddling his thumbs over this whole time, and to think it was only him worrying.
"Are you?"
Kazuki didn't need to think now. He reached to grab Rei's hand, squeezing. "Not anymore, I don't think." To imagine only a few simple words could clear the air, "We've been partners for so long, it feels sort of natural have you this close."
Rei ran his thumb against his fingers. "Natural." He repeated.
"I think we should let Miri see us.." How was he going to say this, "Together. The older she gets the more it will mean to her."
"I agree." Though, Kazuki could see the hesitation in his face. "I just hope we do it right. I don't exactly know what this all means myself."
Ah, that. It wasn't a secret Rei's upbringing lacked sentiment. Hell, this past week they nearly died from Rei's mafioso father. "Just be yourself. Around both me and her." He brought Rei's hand up to kiss his knuckle, as if to imply, 'We both love you'. Then, a murmured hum of agreement let him know Rei understood.
Kazuki wanted to end tonight with Rei sleeping in the same bed as him, but knew better. That would take some time for Rei to get used to again; sleeping in an actual bed. Instead, Kazuki leaned his head into Rei's shoulder, his own sleepiness taking over. "Stay with me tonight until I fall asleep."
A head leaned on top of his, "Okay."