Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kiryu yawned. The day had been stressful, with both of his jobs taxing him. Sure, being both a real estate agent and a part time hostess club manager were a strange combination, but if it meant he could send a large packet of money home to the orphanage, that was fine with him. Regardless, he ached all over, thinking that a massage and a soak in an onsen were probably due. That and a good meal, considering he seemed to be at least 70% instant ramen by body weight.

His apartment was small and humble, but it had a kitchen and a shower and a futon, and that was enough for him. He kicked off his shoes immediately, shoving his feet into his slippers and trudging over to his single chair to collapse for a while.

The clock ticked far too loudly, accentuating the silence. After so long being surrounded by kids, it seemed like he was on pause, the lack of sound disconcerting. After a moment of feeling uncomfortable but not quite realising why, he grunted and sat up, leaning over to his CD player on the table. The album was all ready to go, so he hit play, settling down again.

The velvety smooth voice immediately gave him the shivers, the upbeat music lighting a fire in his soul. It was so beautiful, so perfect. Almost as if it were written for him. He softly sang along to the chorus, his first genuine smile of the day on his face. Reaching for the CD case, he looked at the hot pink sparkles and hearts surrounding her. Long, black hair, the only eye that was ever visible shining with what he wanted to say was love, her makeup perfectly accentuating her features. In all ways the platonic ideal of a woman.

“I wonder if your favourite food really is takoyaki.” Kiryu mused, recalling the last interview he read about her. “I like it too. We could…” He stopped himself, knowing it was stupid. Of course if he met her there would be nothing in common between them. He was an overworked, tired man. She was a gorgeous star, loved by everyone. Despite her public’s best efforts, however, nobody knew much about her aside from what she allowed them to know.

Truly, Goromi was an enigma.

Kiryu's eyes trailed to where his only wall decorations were. A drawing of himself done by Haruka, and a signed poster of Goromi that had his name misspelled on it. Granted, he had sent away for it since he was too busy with work to attend the event, but he hoped one day he could get another. One that actually had his name on it.

When ‘Ain't I Red Hot?’ began to play, Kiryu set the CD case down and decided. He wasn't going to wallow in self pity. He was going to go to a bar and relax for a few hours. And he was going to wear something flashy. And talk to someone. Anyone. If they weren't a customer of his, he was going to talk at them. Just like her lyric ‘I go out in my tightest of dresses, find a stranger who'll listen and unload all my stresses’.
He hated having to turn off the CD during ‘Live Crazier’, but the night called, and he was going to answer. Just like she would.

Unfortunately, the only bar with more than two people in it was the Shot Bar, and most of them were already too drunk to do anything but drink more. Kiryu sighed, his evening going up in smoke, but he sat at the bar anyway, ordering a whiskey and taking out a cigarette.
His lighter sparked, and he grumbled, shaking it a little, but it wouldn't light. His teeth dug into the butt slightly, the need for nicotine gnawing at him.

A gloved hand to his left pushed a lighter wordlessly across the bartop to him. He followed the arm up, taking in the snakeskin jacket, the sharp jawline, and a profile that seemed so familiar, but so foreign. He muttered a thanks and lit his cigarette, then motioned to give the lighter back.

“Nah, keep it. Got plenty more.” The stranger said.

“Thank you.” Kiryu said, taking a long drag. He supposed he had better talk, considering he had promised himself a little human interaction. “I was all pumped up for a night out, but this place is the liveliest one I found.”

The stranger snorted. “Yeah, it ain't party central round here. Shame, I love a good vomit-in-yer-shoes type thing.”

Kiryu nodded, feeling odd. “...I'm sorry, have we met before?”

The stranger tensed slightly and turned to face him. Kiryu’s focus honed in on the eyepatch immediately, which the other man seemed to notice and smirked at. “Just one of them faces, I guess. I'd definitely remember you.”

A sudden pull grabbed Kiryu's chest, and he swallowed thickly. “...I'm Kiryu Kazuma.”

“Cool name. Just call me Majima. Everyone does.”

The feeling wouldn't go away. He'd never heard the name, nor seen that eyepatch, but he couldn't shake the feeling of recognition. He gulped his whiskey in one, making a face as it burned his throat, and Majima tittered. He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol making his face flush or not. “Can I, uh… Buy you a drink, Majima-san?”

“Nope!” Majima grinned at him. “Barkeep. Whiskey for this guy. Keep him stocked up, yeah?” He said as he pushed a lot of money across the bar.

Kiryu felt a sudden flash of guilt, but he didn't feel like arguing as he watched the amber liquid trickle into his glass. “O-Oh. Thank you, Majima-san.”

“Ah, don't worry yer pretty head about it. Got more cash than I know what to do with these days.” He rested his head on his hand as he looked at Kiryu with what he would've thought was hunger were it not for the alcohol making him second guess his judgement. “So, Kiryu-chan… What's a big, burly man like yerself do?”

Kiryu detailed his work with probably too much information, but he was past caring. He needed someone to talk at, and this random man fit the bill. Usually he kept his cards close to his chest, but he saw no harm in letting loose just the once. “I mean, sometimes it's too much. Not that I mind, but still. At times like this, I just need a good drink, a hot meal, and my Goromi CDs.”

Majima was silent when Kiryu stopped talking, and he worried that he'd offended him with something he'd said. Had he been rambling? He didn't usually speak so much, it was hard to judge, especially after his third whiskey.
“Ya like that pop idol shit?”

Kiryu frowned slightly. “No, I like a beautiful woman who makes music that helps me through the day. If you really listened to her music, you'd understand.” He paused for a second, then stood up, making his way over to the jukebox.

“No, don't make me listen to that trash!” Majima called out. It was too late, and suddenly ‘24hr Cinderella’ began to play over the speakers.

“This isn't my favourite of hers, but they don't have ‘Butterfly That Dances in The Night’.” Kiryu said as he sat back down.

Majima got himself another drink, drumming his fingers absentmindedly to the beat “So, ya wanna fuck her then?”

Kiryu choked, spraying whiskey over the bar. “Wh-What?! No!” He glowered, coughing a few times. “A lady like that needs to be wooed. Even so, she would have the pick of the litter, I doubt I'd even be close to her type. I wouldn't expect anything more than civil conversation.”

“I dunno, I think ‘I Like Burly Men’ would say otherwise.”

“Huh. So you have listened to her songs.” Kiryu rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He knew that stars were called that because they were so far above normal folk that they were unreachable, but what if he did meet her? What if she did like him? The thought made his chest feel fuzzy.

“Hey.” Majima began, pulling him from his thoughts. “I wouldn't mind getting into this stuff. If, I dunno, ya wanna show me what's so good about it.” When Kiryu stared at him, he rolled his eye. “I'm tryin’ to subtly ask for yer number, dumbass.”

Kiryu swallowed, not understanding the odd conflicting feelings in his chest, but he pulled out his phone before his brain caught up. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Majima's phone, hot pink and glittery, a veritable mass of dangly characters hanging from it. “Nice colour.”

“Fuck off.”

“No, I mean it.” Kiryu said softly as he copied the number into his phone.

Majima typed in a text, the beep showing a ‘:3’, which Kiryu only knew the meaning of thanks to Haruka. “Do ya ever go to any of her concerts? Or meet and greets?”

Kiryu sighed. “I can't, the only day I have off is Wednesday, and everything is usually on weekends for people who have regular hours.”

“Bummer.” A strange look crossed Majima's face, but he stood up, stretching out his back. “Anyway, duty calls. See ya later, Kiryu-chan!”

“Bye.” Kiryu mumbled, confused but undaunted. He'd met odder people. Not many, but a few.

The bar seemed much less fun without him there so Kiryu finished his drink and headed home again. His mind buzzed both with alcohol and thoughts. Who was that man? And why was he so familiar? It twisted him this way and that all the way to his bed, and he settled down, looking at the ‘:3’ on the screen he held. He wondered if he should reply. The thought occurred that he only wanted his number to sell to data-marketing schemes, but that seemed stupid. Maybe he was just as lonely as Kiryu was. He sighed, turning to grab his charger.

Ping! He looked at the screen again.

Majima:
u seen th new post on th fanclub ?

Kiryu blinked as he parsed what the text meant, then pulled up the webpage of Goromi’s fanclub. He gasped. She was doing a small handshake event on Wednesday. His day off. Close enough to walk to. He almost couldn't believe it. It felt like fate.

Majima:
prtty spooky huh ;°Д▀̿

Kiryu:
She's never done a mid-week thing. It almost seems too good to be true.

Majima:
big thing 4 u ｡^‿▀̿｡

Kiryu typed the next message a few times before deciding to send it.

Kiryu:
Would you come with me?

Majima:
wish i cld bt im workin dw tho it will b gr8

He deflated a little once he'd deciphered what he meant. He'd like someone there, just to pump him up a little. Nerves fluttered in his stomach at the thought of having to go alone.

Kiryu:
It's okay, I'll cope. Goodnight, Majima-san.

With that he plugged his phone in and tried to get some sleep, suddenly feeling nauseous. All the ‘what if’s began to circle in his mind, images of all the ways he could fuck up going through his head. He only hoped he didn't say anything stupid.

oOo

The line was far too long. He had got there early, but he was still really far back. It wasn't as if he could even see her from where he was, as she usually only did these kinds of things one-on-one, letting fans in slowly so as to create more of a personal feel. Unlike other handshake events he'd heard about, she didn't breeze past her fans one after another. She had a policy of at least two minutes with each. He loved that about her. Well, he loved everything about her.

Again he checked his clothes, his hair, his breath, making sure he looked as perfect as he could. He knew any affection she would show him would be purely an act, but he would still cherish it. His heart skipped as the line moved. He was three away. Those leaving seemed starstruck, awed, their faces saying it all. Two away, and he felt like he was about to pass out. What should he say? One away. The security was heavy, and he imagined himself saying something that got him dragged out of there by his scruff. He was next. He couldn't feel his legs. What if she hated him? What if she wasn't like he expected her to be?

As the security guard stepped aside and Kiryu rounded the corner of the divider, he smelled her perfume. The room was darker than the outside, lit with reddish lamps that gave it a sensual feeling. Almost like a date. And there she was, sat at a table, legs crossed and hands to her chest. Her dress was as black as her beautiful hair, both flowing and gorgeous. She smiled at him, and he could barely breathe, let alone speak.

“Come closer. I won't bite.” She cooed, her voice rich and smooth.

Kiryu took a few shaky steps, and if his brain was working he'd have noticed that he was staring slack-jawed. He only realised he had to do something when she presented her hand to him, and he clasped it, noting how soft and warm it was. “Y-You're… I-I mean, I'm… I'm Kiryu. And I love your music, and you, you're just amazing, and I know everyone must say this but you're so…perfect.”

Goromi hid a titter behind her hand. “That's nice of you to say. You're not so bad yourself.”

Flushing, Kiryu cleared his throat. “I, uh… I have all your albums, and one of your posters. They spelled my name wrong when I got it signed, but I still love it.”

Clicking her tongue, Goromi leant back and pulled something from a box. “I'm not supposed to do this, but I can't let something like that ruin my reputation, can I?” As she got out a marker, Kiryu almost died, watching her write his name with reverence. She rolled up the poster and handed it to him. “Don't let anyone see that. I might be a naughty girl, but there are limits to how naughty.”

“Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.” Kiryu said with a small bow.

“I do, darling, don't you worry. Thank you for your support. I'll make sure to think of you next time I'm recording an album.” Goromi smiled.

Kiryu chuckled. “I know you probably say that to everyone, but I appreciate it anyway.”

“Don't think that you're just anyone. There's only one Kiryu.”

He thanked her at least three more times, and then he was outside, feeling like he'd been sucked into a tornado. His tongue was numb, hair on end, heart hammering. He rushed home with his prize and unrolled the poster to put up. This one was different than the other, with Goromi stretched over a classic car, looking like a lazy cat with a smile that made his pulse quicken. He looked at what she'd written for him with a grin.
‘For Kiryu-chan. Stay hot! Goromi xx’

Kiryu was quick to put the poster up beside the other one, unable to stop staring up at it. Then he remembered something, and took his phone out, typing a message.

Kiryu:
Thank you for letting me know about the event. It was the greatest moment of my life. Sorry if you're still at work.

The reply didn't come until after Kiryu had done his groceries and was making himself some lunch.

Majima:
u bettr tell me abt it whn i nxt c u ~(≧ω▀̿)~

Kiryu pondered a moment, wondering if he'd made a friend here. He wasn't used to having friends. Would inviting him over be a step too far? He seemed to send it on autopilot, overthinking it when he pressed send, full of regret.

Kiryu:
Have you eaten? I'm cooking right now if you want to come over. Here's the address: □□□□□

He suddenly thought about how Majima might feel pressured, despite knowing that he didn't seem like the sort of man to do what he didn't want to do. Regardless, he sent another.

Kiryu:
It's okay if not, I was just wondering. I always make too much for myself.

He'd barely pressed send when another text popped up.

Majima:
omw!

What did that mean? Kiryu stared at it, trying to fill in vowels to make it make sense. Or was it an acronym? ’Oh my word’ didn't seem like something he'd say. He didn't want to seem stupid asking for clarification, pondering it as he finished his tempura. He suddenly realised he could probably search it, and picked up his phone, only to hear a knock at the door.

He opened it. Majima grinned at him. “Hey! Ooh, I smell free food!”

“I'm sorry for asking you over so soon after I met you, Majima-san. I hope it wasn't--”

“Ah, fuck that social protocol shit! If ya can't bring a dude from a bar to yer place, what good is a bar anyway?” Majima smirked as he sauntered inside, kicking off his shoes. “Cozy place! Wish I had a li’l pad like this.”

Kiryu swallowed, wondering why he felt so weird again. “Why, where do you live?” He asked, gesturing to the table, then portioning out the food.

“Some big ass place in the middle of scenic rich folk town. Rather be somewhere I could wallow in, y'know?” He thanked Kiryu when he received his bowl, immediately digging in. “Fuck, yer a good cook.”

Shrugging, Kiryu remembered the drinks and stood to pour them both some juice. “I learnt when I was in Okinawa.”

Majima tilted his head. “What were ya down there for? Hell, why did ya leave?!”

“Very long story short, I had an orphanage and we had money trouble, so I left to work away.” Kiryu set the glasses down, then seated himself opposite Majima.

“Aw, I can see ya takin’ care of kids. Sweet.” He sipped his juice, then cleared his throat. “So, did ya get off with Goromi?”

Kiryu scowled. “No. I wish you'd stop talking about her like that. Just because she can be a little seductive in her songs and persona, it doesn't mean anything! It could very well be an act.” He sighed and thought about the way she'd smiled at him. “I could have stayed there for hours. I didn't want to bother her though, so I didn't linger. Still, she was everything I hoped for and more.”

Majima snickered. “Really in love with her, huh?”

“I know, I know, the whole ‘you don't know what she's really like’ thing, but I don't care. I'd do anything for her.” Kiryu sighed, poking his rice around with his chopsticks. “She's got everything.”

“Maybe too many things.” Majima said, but Kiryu didn't feel like acknowledging that if he was just being insulting.

“I wish her concerts weren't so expensive though. I'd do anything to see her perform.” Kiryu said, staring at his tempura as if tickets would magically appear.

Majima tilted his head with a sly smile. “Well, ya never know! Some idols do giveaway things, don't they?”

“Mm. But I never win anything, so I don't bother.”

“Ya were moanin’ ‘bout not meetin’ her, and then ya did. Maybe I'm yer good luck charm! Just have a go, see if ya win.”

That feeling came again, stronger this time, and Kiryu had to physically shake himself to bury it. “If I did…would you go with me?”

Majima stilled, frowning. “...nah, what if she sees me and wants to marry me because I'm so hot? Should be you she falls for, not me.”

Kiryu sighed heavily. “She won't fall for me. It's not as though I'm a model or something. I'm just a tired old man.”

“Don't sell yerself short! Any girl would be lucky to have ya, stud muffin.”

The pink on his cheeks made Majima titter, and he growled at himself, shoving his food into his mouth.
When they were both finished Kiryu took the bowls to the kitchen, and returned to see Majima furiously texting. He politely stood in the doorway and waited for him to finish, wondering vaguely what was so important.

“Sorry. Work.” Majima said as he slammed his phone shut, slapping his knees and standing. “Duty calls! Thanks for the food anyway, Kiryu-chan. De-fuckin’-licious.”

“I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sorry again for asking you to come along since we haven't known each other that lo--” Majima grabbed his face with his gloved fingers, squeezing so much that it pinched, and Kiryu tensed.

“It. Ain't. A. Problem. Okay?”

“Don't grab my face.” Kiryu said, lips squished together.

Majima cackled and let him go, sidling over to grab his shoes. “I'll buy ya lunch some time if ya feel that guilty ‘bout it.” He put a hand on the door knob, then looked back at him with a grin. “Hope ya get yer Goromi tickets, anyway. Laters!”

And with that, he was gone, Kiryu’s cheeks still bearing slight red imprints.

oOo

The competition only required his email address.
They drew within a week.

He was finally going to see Goromi live.

Chapter Text

Kiryu had called Haruka the night before the concert. She was so excited for him, squealing down the phone and calling to the other kids to tell them that their Uncle Kaz was about to live out his dream. Even through his usual flat tone she could tell he was as close to jumping up and down as Kiryu got.

He could barely sleep. He'd seen other idol concerts on TV, so he knew what to expect, but he was still nervous. He was never this nervous about anything, and he had been in more fights than he'd eaten fish. At 2am he rolled over on his futon and sighed, reaching for his phone and flipping it open.

Kiryu:
I can't sleep.

He knew it was stupid to bother Majima so late at night, but he needed to occupy his mind with something other than a cigarette. He didn't expect him to reply, and told himself he'd wait five minutes, then give it up as a bad idea. The phone buzzed.

Majima:
aw sumbody got butterflies }ï{

Kiryu:
I always wonder what she's like in real life.

He almost hoped that Majima would tell him to shut up about Goromi, as he kept thinking he was probably being annoying.

Majima:
mayb shes a total bitch n mayb shes just like norml ppl. wht do u thnk shes like (╰ •ω▀̿)╯?

Kiryu:
Sweet but deadly. She'd buy you coffee but could kick your ass.

Majima:
make sur u tell me all abt it whn i nxt c u. got wrk 2moro so gotta sleep ᶻᶻᶻ( ᵕᴗ▀̿)*・☪︎·̩͙

Kiryu:
Only if you can show me how to make those little faces you keep sending me.

Majima:
UR SO OLD!!!!!

Kiryu smiled and turned back over, exhaling. He wondered if he would feel more or less nervous if it was a concert just for him, but then he imagined her focusing all her attention on him and cringed. No, this was the better option by far. He let himself have a little indulgence, however, and closed his eyes, imagining he was resting his head on her chest, listening to her breath, her skin warm and smelling like perfume.
He was out like a light.

oOo

Again, he had arrived early. Again, he was so far back in line that he knew he had no chance of getting near the front. He grumbled and leant against a wall, wondering if he could squeeze his way through the crowd somehow once he was in there. He straightened his shirt, the purple variant of the one that screamed GOROMI! in sparkly letters, and prepared himself to play the waiting game, knowing they would be let inside soon.

His attention was drawn then to three very large security guards, all walking down the line, the biggest one holding a clipboard. Kiryu vaguely wondered what they were doing, looking at each person in turn, until finally they looked at Kiryu and stopped.
“Excuse me, can you come with me, sir?”

“Uh… Why?” Kiryu asked, hoping that this wasn't about to turn into something that would ruin his night.

“It would be best if you just come with us. We don't want a scene in front of the venue, sir.” Another said, unhooking the barrier rope and motioning.

Kiryu could feel eyes on him, and while he half debated refusing, he was curious as to what he could have possibly done to warrant being escorted away from the line. He nodded, hoping he wasn't about to be arrested for something, and followed them around the venue and through a door.

“Did I do something wrong?” Kiryu asked, losing his bearings once they hit the third corridor.

“I don't think so, I was just instructed to bring you inside.” The main security guard said as he opened a door.

Kiryu realised as they stepped in that it was the main concert hall, entirely empty aside from the stage hands doing final checks. “What's going on?”

“The doors are opening now, so take your spot before everyone else comes in.” With that, they all left, going to help with the staff on the door.

Kiryu parked himself directly in front of centre stage, twirling the glow stick he'd been given, wondering why the hell he'd been singled out. Surely Goromi couldn't know that he would be there? And she definitely wouldn't have done this for one forgettable fan out of thousands.

He was still pondering even as the other fans began to gather around him, and he made damn sure to keep his spot, leaning over the railing as if someone would try to tear him away from it. Knowing Goromi’s fans, some might actually do that. He felt his phone buzz and pulled it out to look.

Majima:
r u there yet? still got }ï{?

Kiryu:
Some bouncers escorted me inside first. I have no idea what's going on. If I end up dead somehow, avenge me.

Majima:
omg mayb i am ur lucky charm ʕ •ᴥ▀̿ ̿ʔ

Kiryu:
If you are, I'm going to have to buy you some yakiniku.

Majima didn't reply, and he supposed it was because he was busy, so he put his phone away, patiently waiting.

The lights dimmed suddenly, and a roar began from the crowd as the light show fired up, bright pink showering Kiryu with excitement. A drawn out intro made his heart race, smoke shrouding the stage. A figure appeared, silhouetted and posed to show her lithe form, and Kiryu felt like he was about to pass out.
The sudden burst of music hit him like lightning, her body suddenly coming into focus with hot pink as she began to sing Butterfly That Dances in the Night. He could barely think, jaw open and eyes greedily feasting on every sway of her hips and flick of her hair, the strands always over her left eye staying in place. It was only when she reached the chorus that he realised that she was looking right at him.

She raised her only visible eyebrow once, and he felt his heart flutter. Was that for him? That one little movement, was it because she recognised him? He didn't know, but he didn't care.

Every song was pure euphoria, the throng of people behind him singing along being mere background noise to his pink-tinted world. It didn't feel like a concert. It was magic. Just him and her, a man and the woman he worshipped. She kept looking at him, he was sure of it. It couldn't be his imagination. Her look would linger, almost as if she forgot where she was, and in those moments he felt as though he were an extension of her body, an extra heart that beat to the rhythm of her music.

He wished it would last forever.

All good things have to end, however, and after she thanked the audience, she blew out a sweeping kiss, and then a second one that was aimed directly at him. He wanted to call to her as she left, beg her to stay, but he knew she was only human. It couldn't last for the rest of his life.

As the back of the crowd began to leave, Kiryu snuck a glance around himself to make sure there was nobody around him that could have taken her affections, wanting to be certain that it was all meant for him. He almost cheered when he realised that all the men around him were just the type of otakus that he'd usually associate with idols. Not that he held judgement, but they seemed to be a yen a dozen. A voice in his head called them panty-snatchers, but he pushed it away forcefully, not wanting to be mean about his fellow Goromi lovers.

He was last to leave, dragging his feet as if somehow if he lingered she'd play one more song.
The security guard who had originally escorted him held out an envelope as he passed, and he tilted his head, taking it cautiously. “What's this?”

“Dunno. I don't ask questions when I'm asked to do stuff.”

Kiryu rounded the corner and settled against a wall, lighting a cigarette with the lighter Majima had given him. Then he opened the envelope, finding a letter on pink paper.

‘It was good to see you in the audience, Kiryu-chan! I hope you don't mind that I arranged for early entry for you, I just saw your name was pulled in the contest and wanted to make sure you had the best view. After all, there's only one Kiryu, and it was refreshing to have someone who wasn't drooling on their shoes watching me.
Stay hot,
Goromi ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚’

Kiryu had to read it three times to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Was it really all for him? She knew he was coming and did that all for him? He slipped the letter into his pocket over his heart, which seemed to be pulling to press against the paper, his guts doing twirls as he tried to remember the way home. The neon lights all looked pink, the sound of the city feeling like his pulse, every woman he passed seeming a thousand times more beautiful. Everything was her, and he could hardly think, hardly make one foot move in front of the other. Some punks tried to goad him, but he simply told them that he liked their jackets, which threw them for a loop, confusing them enough to let him float by without incident.

Majima watched from the window at the top floor of the venue as Kiryu stumbled home, grinning as he wiped off his makeup. He'd done a good job, and was satisfied with his latest ploy. Kiryu was happy, and he got to see that sexy face be enchanted. Best concert yet.

His phone pinged, and he opened it.

Kiryu-chan!!!:
You should have seen her. I feel like I just met God. She even wrote me a letter.

Could he be any cuter? His face hurt from grinning, proud that he'd made him so happy.

Majima:
u thnk she wnts 2 marry u? ( ˘ ³ ▀̿ )

Every time he teased him like that, he couldn't get enough of the response. So many people only saw Goromi as a piece of meat, but Kiryu saw her as a woman. A woman who had talent.

Kiryu-chan!!!:
I think I would need to buy her thousands of roses first. And chocolates. I can't work out why she singled me out.

Majima:
bc she thnks ur hot obvs!!!

Plus, she wanted to give him the best experience of his life. He was just the sort of man she liked. Buff and sexy, stoic and quiet, but with a good heart and a healthy respect for women.

Kiryu-chan!!!:
I wish I could ask her. She's probably too busy to bother with me, but even a little explanation would be nice.

Majima wanted to text him back to reveal who he really was, to tell him that he was being treated to VIP benefits because he was gorgeous and sweet. But he couldn't. Nobody could know, or she'd never be booked to play again.

Majima:
lmk if u hear anythng else abt it ღゝ◡▀̿ )ノ♡

He pondered as he finished cleaning and moisturising his face, thumbing his slight stubble and deciding to maybe invest in some wax strips for the next concert. What would his next move be? He wondered if a date competition would be a good idea. One lucky winner - and three guesses who - would be given the date of a lifetime and could take Goromi anywhere. He thought about Kiryu's little blushing face as they shared a milkshake with two straws like in the movies, tittering to himself as he put his cleanser away.

Majima pulled off his dress and moved to the closet to put the dust cover on it, humming one of the songs she'd sung that night. He opened the door. And suddenly a camera flash blinded him, making him cry out and stumble backwards, blinking to get into a fighting stance. When he opened his eye again, the photographer was gone.

Oh.

Shit.

Frantic, he called his agent, beginning to scream down the phone about the photo, panic rising. If that got out he'd be ruined. She'd be ruined. The fan base, gone. The concerts, gone. The chances of another album, gone. And worst of all, Kiryu. That image of the shared milkshake turned into a pretty face contorted with disgust. A fist to the face for daring to trick him like that. He felt like he'd deserve it.
Apparently the only way to find the photographer was to catch them himself. He didn't know what they looked like, who they were reporting to. What could he do?

His mind went to Kiryu again, but he knew that if he tried to enlist his help, he'd need to explain. And then there was that expression of revulsion again.

His PA could help, maybe, and he pressed the button on speed dial, knowing he'd be halfway home. Honestly, he should have to stay beside his client 24/7, the selfish idiot.
“Nishida, someone got a photo of me while I was changin’. I didn't see what they looked like. I need it pulled from the presses.”

“I'll try my best, boss, but it might be hard. You know the media.”

“Yeah, I know the media! That's the fuckin’ problem! Do yer job and stop this becomin’ a scandal!”

“Of course, I'm on it!”

If anyone could do it, it was Nishida. And if Nishida couldn't do it, both Majima and Goromi were well and truly fucked.

Chapter Text

He'd heard nothing since the incident. Not a call from Nishida, nor a text from his agent, nothing. His mouth was dry from chain smoking, and he was sure he'd worn a groove in the pavement pacing back and forth.

Well, if those incompetent idiots couldn't do anything, Majima would.

And there was only one person he thought would be able to help him without putting two and two together.

Maybe he knocked too hard, because Kiryu opened the door with a fist readied, a towel around his waist, hair wet.
“O-Oh. Majima-san. What's wrong?”

Majima froze for a moment, forcing himself to look at Kiryu's face, not the damp, toned body that was practically begging to be licked. He shook the thought from his head and clenched his fists tightly. “I need ya. And I can't tell ya why. And I know that's shady as all shit, but it's real important. I wouldn't come to ya if it wasn't.”

Kiryu frowned. “One second.” He closed the door, and Majima only had a few moments to wonder if this was a good idea before the door opened again, Kiryu’s shirt unbuttoned and his belt undone. He locked the door and started down the stairs while continuing to dress himself.

Majima's heart skipped a beat. He was that eager to help him? Someone he barely knew? At this early hour when he was clearly busy? God, he was adorable.

“Okay, someone has a photo that I need destroyin’. The bad news is I dunno where they are, what they look like, or anythin’. Can't tell ya why I need it gone, or what it's of. If ya wanna dip now--”

“You're clearly upset. I'll do this for you if I can. What sort of photo are we talking? Police investigation?”

He wondered if his next words would be the spark that brought the two people together into one, but he trusted that Kiryu was a himbo enough to not think anything of it. “Star tabloid stuff.”

Kiryu rubbed his chin. “Okay. Narrows it down. There are three buildings where they could be, if my real estate knowledge is correct. And it usually is.”

Majima tried to think of anything else that could help, his fingers itching for another cigarette. “...Oh! He was wearin’ a blue shirt with one of them @ signs on it! Hm, guess that doesn't help.”

Narrowing his eyes, Kiryu hummed. “Green cap?”

“...I think maybe?”

“I know him. He has a blog where he posts the articles that he sold his photos for.” Kiryu said, beginning to run, and Majima yelled for him as he began to run behind him. He was exhausted after dancing and singing all night, but he was determined to keep up.

“Where the hell is this guy?!” As soon as Kiryu shouted the address, Majima opened his phone and called Nishida, relaying the information to him.

As they stopped outside the building, Majima desperately needing to fall into bed, Kiryu put a hand on the door. Then he paused.
“...I get that you don't want me to ask, and I won't ask. But do you want me to stay out here? Just in case?”

Majima nodded. “Yeah. Might be best. Could ya…stick around?” He thought to ask him to wait for Nishida, thinking about showing him the contact photo he had, but if he didn't see any similarity between Majima and Goromi, he sure as shit wouldn't be able to recognise someone from a photo. There were other perfectly good ways to describe Nishida though. “If a sweaty lookin’ guy in a yellow beanie comes round, tell ‘im I'm inside.” With that, Majima walked in, leaving Kiryu by himself.

Kiryu wondered what the photo was, and why it would be sent to a magazine known for celebrity scandals, but he knew he shouldn't pry. So he didn't. He put it from his mind and chalked it up to a friend in need of help. Nothing more.
A man sprinted over, sweaty and wearing a yellow hat, panting like he'd just run a marathon.

“Majima-san is inside. He told me to wait out here.” Kiryu said with a helpful point.

The man wheezed a word of thanks and then stumbled through the door, clawing his way up the stairs. Kiryu had had a nagging thought that maybe his new friend was Yakuza, and the man who followed him had all the signs of an underling who had to obey his boss. Not that Kiryu would mind if he was Yakuza. After all, he'd been raised by one, and his brother was one. He was more suited for orphanage work though.

He heard a crash, and some yelling, his muscles begging him to run upstairs and throw some punches. Though he thought that was probably because Majima had interrupted his shower. He was getting ready for quite the Goromi daydream, so he still had a lot of pent-up energy. But he'd said he would stay put, and stay put he did.

Both of them emerged only a short time later, and Majima was grinning from ear to ear. “Problem solved!” He beamed. “Yer a lifesaver, Kiryu-chan! You did in five minutes what Nishida couldn't do in an hour.” He slapped the man beside him on the back of the head, and Nishida took it as if he was used to it.

“It all went well?” Kiryu asked, glancing up at the window.

“Yep. Will have to send ‘em some cash to replace the tech though. Went a li’l wild.” Majima snickered. “Go get it done, Nishida.”

“Right away, boss. Oh, thank you, Kiryu-san.” Nishida said with a bow before scurrying off, still sweaty and panting.

As Kiryu began to walk back home, Majima followed him, relaxed for the first time that night. The anxiety over Kiryu’s enjoyment coupled with the photo, and then worrying about Kiryu finding out his secret, it all got far too much for him. “I am beat. Think I'm gonna collapse.”
Kiryu reached out to hold his shoulder, and Majima cackled, giving him a light hearted slap. “I'm exaggerating, dumbass. Although, if ya wanna carry me…”

“Not if you can walk.” Kiryu said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“So, ya enjoy yer night?” Majima asked, kicking a pebble down the road. “Aside from the shit I just put on ya.”

Kiryu smiled, nodding. “It was like a dream. I keep thinking I'm about to wake up. She…the letter…”

Majima's brain scrambled to remember what he wasn't supposed to know about the letter. “What did it say?”

“She saw my name and remembered me. Actually remembered me.” Kiryu breathed, a blush on his cheeks. “I don't know what to do. Should I do something? Or wait? Would she be expecting me to make a move?”

Honestly, Majima wished he could tell him to go to her place immediately and bone her brains out. But he knew that it would net him a fist to the teeth, so he shrugged. “Maybe try see her again, hm? Keep an eye out for events and shit like that.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I will. Thank you, Majima-san.”

When they got to his door, Kiryu held out a hand for a handshake. Majima hesitated. Would he connect the dots if he felt how their hands fit together? He did wear leather gloves, but there was no way to be certain. Instead of shaking normally, he hooked their thumbs together like an arm wrestle, squeezing hard. “I'm rootin’ for ya.” He grinned, then spun on his heel. “Laters!”

Kiryu watched him leave, trying not to let himself wonder about the photo. Even as he decided against hopping back in the shower, he couldn't get it out of his mind. There had to be a link between all of these weird pieces. Unless there wasn't. Maybe he was just being paranoid. It wasn't as if there was some big conspiracy, that would be stupid. Regardless, something still chewed at him, and he thought it was probably the emotions of the night clouding his judgement.

He dreamt of her, shrouded in pink and mystery, her soft hand against his cheek. Her palm was velvet as she entwined her fingers with his, her thumb circling his knuckle. She whispered to him, too soft to make out, but it didn't matter. He loved every breath, every second spent looking at her. She was perfect. Beautiful in every possible way.
Then his mind shifted, and Majima held his other hand, that manic grin and wild eye holding such affection for him. He oozed charisma and fun, promising to take him to play video games and have a brawl to help him let off steam. They each kept holding him, both trying to keep his attention. Goromi would pull him one way. Majima would tug him back. Their words were garbled and angry, and he felt his arms begin to stretch, his muscles aching. Back and forth, pulling and pulling at him, until with a sound like velcro, he ripped in half, both pieces falling to the ground wetly.

Kiryu jolted awake and flailed in his blankets, having tangled himself up in them. He panted as he stared at the morning light, hands dancing across his chest. In one piece. Phew.
It was then that he wondered…did he like Majima too? Maybe, but it was too early for introspection, so he rolled over and settled back down to sleep and forget. As soon as he closed his eyes, his alarm began to beep, and he sighed, leaning over to silence it. Damn it. He did not want to work, not after that.

oOo

Majima:
u wnna go get sum food 2day? (○ ^ω▀̿ )_旦~♪

Kiryu:
Sure. Where? Also, I just realised you put your eyepatch on all your little faces.

Majima:
cant believe it took u ths long tbh old man smh. wht u in th mood for?

Kiryu:
Unfortunately I can't afford that yakiniku I promised. Something meaty though.

Majima:
fuck tht my treat meet u @ tht one yakiniku place at 12?

Kiryu felt bad for the fact that he didn't have money to spare after his latest payment to the kids. But he knew Majima was loaded, so he supposed he could afford it just this once. He sent a confirmation text, then got back to work, his fingers resting on the keyboard as he stared at endless addresses and prices, his brain feeling mushy. With everything that was happening to him, he felt like work wasn't important anymore. Which was so odd considering how seriously he always took everything he did.

When he saw Majima hanging around outside the restaurant, he waved, his dream coming back to him. Hm. Did he look different? The same jacket, the same weird hair, the same penchant for leather. Surely there was something different. As he got closer he noticed the smudge of eyeliner and wondered if it was that, the black making his eye seem larger. But his lips looked softer, his face more alluring, his abs more defined. Or were they? Was he just noticing them for the first time?

“‘bout time! Been waitin’ almost three minutes!”

Kiryu huffed his trademark chuckle. “Some of us have jobs.”

“Hey, I have a job! A better payin’ one than you, thanks very much!” Majima protested as he led the way inside.

When they were seated and the drinks were ordered, Majima getting some midday booze and lightly mocking the choice to stay sober for work, Kiryu leant forward a little. “I don't think I ever asked what you do. Is it… you know… less than legitimate?”

Majima raised a brow. “Is that yer way of askin’ if I'm Yakuza?” He snorted. “I dabbled at one point. Hope that ain't a problem.”

“Not for me. I know a fair few in that line of work, so it makes no odds to me.” What did ‘dabbled’ mean? Was he in a family still? Or did he just have connections? He didn't want to pry, knowing that one shouldn't ask too many questions about it, but he was still curious. “So, primary income…?”

Before Majima could answer, the waiter brought their drinks and took their meat order, quick to bring back a tray of different meats and vegetables. Kiryu began to load up the barbecue with his beef, looking back up at his friend after they were alone.

“...I'm in the entertainment industry.”

Kiryu couldn't help laughing at that. “Really? You don't seem the type. Or, does that mean something shady?”

Majima huffed and put his food on to cook too. “Fine, don't believe me!”

“I'm sorry, it's just, if you were famous, I think I'd know.” Kiryu said, sure that his eyepatch and strange way of speaking would make him recognisable a mile away. “And I'm not usually that good at faces.”

“Yeah, I noticed.” Majima mumbled. “Ya want some of this tripe?” He asked, Kiryu not picking up on his attempt to change the subject.

“Bleh. You seriously like tripe?”
As Majima began to get into a schpiel about his brother and his liking for tripe, and how he always said you need to burn it for it to be good, he found himself staring at him, unhearing. His lips were awfully pretty. His eye sparkled at the memories he was digging up for nobody. Kiryu nodded along, not paying attention at all. However, he soon realised his mistake when chopsticks holding burnt tripe were rushing toward his mouth, and he had no choice but to taste it. He was surprised, making a ‘mm!’ sound that made Majima grin. “That's actually not that bad.”

“Told ya! Though I didn't really get the prison analogy.”

Wait. Prison?! Kiryu knew that if he said anything he'd show that he hadn't been paying attention, so he nodded once more, filling his need for words with more eating.

“How many kids ya got, anyway?”

Kiryu swallowed his mouthful. “Nine. And a dog.”

“Hoo! Regular ol’ Maria Von Trapp over ‘ere!” Kiryu cocked his head. “Sound of Music? No? Ah, never mind.”

They chatted about nothing at all as they ate, Kiryu learning that Majima did karaoke alone, never with anyone else. Majima learnt that Kiryu adored any sort of game, from crane machines to the arcade to that toy car racing thing. Kiryu learnt that Majima liked kids but didn't know how to talk to them. Which then led to him telling him how to talk to kids.

“I tried to be both mother and father. But Haruka ended up becoming a mother to them. Doesn't feel fair.”

Majima leant on his hand. “Imagine if ya married Goromi! She could be a ma to yer kiddos.”

Kiryu rolled his eyes. “I'm probably never going to see her again. Besides, she's far too busy for me.” He said, continuing to eat and letting his mind wander.
There was no way he could see Goromi settling down with him in Okinawa. A star like her, born to sing and dance, living in a tiny place in scenic, peaceful nowhere? The idea of it would have been hilarious if it didn't strike him as something he really wanted. He wondered if she already had a boyfriend. She wouldn't have children, surely…? What if she did? What if she had already done the whole kids thing? He could see her as an amazing mother, throwing herself into childcare the same way she did her music.

“Or just ignore me, sure. I'll just talk to myself.” Came a slightly tipsy voice, slicing through his daydream.

Kiryu jolted. “Oh, I'm sorry, Majima-san. I was miles away.”

Majima rolled his eye. “Never mind. Ain't important. Y’gonna finish that meat there?”
He wondered what it was that he was going to say, but didn't ask, trying to keep his mind on him rather than zoning out again.

“Oh, you were going to show me how to make those faces.” Kiryu said when they were on their last bits of food, and Majima was far drunker than Kiryu had ever been in the middle of the day.

“Shit, yeah!” Majima whipped out his phone and made to lean over, but Kiryu grabbed his shoulders to move him out of the way of the grill so he didn't set himself on fire. “Ah, thanks. Anyway, yeah, look, ya go here, open up this screen, and use all the fuckin’ punctuations and stuff to make faces! Y'can get creative with 'em. I wanna see ya usin’ em next time, ‘kay?”

“Hm. Okay, I think I can manage that.”

Majima was nice enough to slap Kiryu's hand when he tried to at least get the tip, stressing that he was paying for everything. He then insisted on walking Kiryu back to his work, clearly enjoying the day. “Ain't often I get some time to just stroll. I forget how pretty this city can be, y'know?”

“Mm. Also a bit scummy, but every town has somewhere you're likely to be stabbed, I suppose.” Kiryu smirked, jamming his hand in his pocket when he realised that he really wanted to just reach out and grab the gloved hand so close to his own.

“If anyone tries to stab ya, they'll have to stab me first. Only I get to stab ya.” Majima growled.

“Hm. Well, that's more reassuring than not.” Kiryu said with a raised brow. It was also oddly hot, but he wasn't about to say that.

When they got to Kiryu's office, he thanked Majima for the meal with a slight bow, and heard him tsk at his show of formality.
“Ya helped me with that photo thingy. Least I could do.”

“Even so, thank you.” Kiryu said, before bidding Majima goodbye and going back to pretend to work, his mind clouded with pink and snakeskin, soft hands and leather gloves, velvet purrs and shrill giggles. He knew he loved Goromi with every fibre of his being, but the more time he spent with Majima, the more he was beginning to see the beauty of such an odd and unpredictable man.

He jolted when he got a text, almost throwing his papers across the room. Exhaling, he opened his phone to look.

Majima:
probs booze talk here but goromi wld b lucky af 2 hv u (⺣◡⺣)♡*

Kiryu:
Try not to day drink next time :)

It was just the alcohol, he was sure of it. Regardless, he appreciated the sentiment. Throughout the rest of the work day, every time he felt like he needed a boost, he thought of the text.
Majima really was a good friend.

Chapter Text

WIN!!
Do you love Goromi?
Want to take her on a one-on-one* outing, all expenses paid?
Enter now!
*winning entrant will be required to take a publicity photo

Surely not. Surely it was too good to be true. Kiryu knew he wouldn't win, as the forum was blowing up with fans all raving over the announcement, and he wasn't likely to be the one in thousands to win another of her contests, but he supposed there was no harm in entering.

He did let his imagination run away, however, picturing her sat across from him, batting her eyelashes and daintily eating her meal. He wished he had a better memory for faces, as he couldn't make her features sharpen into the woman he loved. But her smell, her voice, her penchant for hot pink, it all became one person. Someone he adored with his whole being.

When he received the email, he almost passed out. How? How could he have won again? Was it fate? Did whatever power watching over them want them to get together? It didn't make sense. But he was not about to question it.

Kiryu:
I need help.

Majima:
anything 4 u, wassup? (๑´• .̫ ▀̿ `๑)

Kiryu:
I need clothes.

Majima:
u dont own clothes?? ( Ծ_▀̿)

Kiryu sighed, shaking his head.

Kiryu:
I won a date with Goromi and I don't know what to wear.

Honestly, why he asked Majima, he didn't know. The man had the fashion sense of someone who fell into a donation box. But he didn't know anyone else in the city, so Majima would have to do. Thankfully, he was more than happy to help, and sent him a place to meet up.

Kiryu waited patiently, humming one of her songs, mentally dressing himself as he tried to decide what would be best. But everything he picked came out as an old man trying too hard to seem cool.
Someone waved to him, and he frowned as he hesitantly waved back, just in case he knew them. They were wearing a leather jacket, sunglasses, and a black beanie, and as they approached he took a step back. “...can I help you?”

“Oh, shit, yeah, my snakeskin’s bein’ cleaned.” Majima laughed, and Kiryu felt a sudden rush of shame that he hadn't recognised him. “I just threw the hat on because I haven't washed my hair. Want me to take it off?”

“N-No, no, it's okay.”

“I'll take these off.” Majima said as he put the sunglasses in his pocket, blinking at the light. As soon as Kiryu saw the eyepatch his face slotted into place in his mind. “Shoulda realised, sorry.”

“No, I'm sorry. I hate that I can't recognise people.” Kiryu mumbled, sighing.

“Fuck that, I love that about ya. Means ya won't be able to pick me out of a lineup.” He laughed, steering Kiryu toward a store. “So, date with Goromi, huh?”

Kiryu nodded. “I can't believe I won it. What are the odds?”

Majima snickered. “She chose ya to win. She's got the hots for ya.”

“That wouldn't be very fair.” Kiryu said as he held the door open for Majima.

“It would be if she only set up that contest so she could have a date with ya.”

“Yeah, right. I'm not that special.” Kiryu grumbled.

“Ya will be once I'm finished with ya!” Majima said as he began to look through the clothing racks. “Now, let's see. Somethin’ that brings out yer eyes. Smart but not too stuffy. And not too try-hard.” He began to pile clothes up in Kiryu's arms, flitting from rack to rack, talking to himself. “Okay, go try those on.”

Kiryu staggered under the heft of the pile, teetering towards the changing room, and dropped them all on the chair in there. “Uh… Which shirt with which trousers?”

He heard a chair scrape from outside the door. “Light shirts with dark pants, and vice versa. Don't mix patterns, if a shirt is patterned it goes with solid colours.”

“You really know a lot about fashion for…” Kiryu trailed off as he began to try on his favourite of the picks.

“I heard that unsaid sentence, Kiryu-chan!” Majima protested. “What, full leather ain't cool?! It's so cool. Tits out too.”
Kiryu stepped out of the door in a navy blue shirt and cream coloured slacks. Majima shook his head. “Next!”

“I thought this looked nice.” Kiryu said, turning this way and that in the mirror.

“Ya look like an uncle at a school play.”

That didn't sound like a bad thing, but Kiryu relented, going back into the stall. “I wonder if she'll even notice.”

“A classy lady like that would pick up on a stray hair! Speaking of, ya might wanna go to a barber.” Majima said as he pulled out his phone, messaging Nishida to get a new dress for the date. “Thought of a gift?”

Kiryu came out in a light green shirt and forest green slacks, immediately getting another ‘next!’. Maybe he should've just gone with his usual suit. “What sort of gift? Chocolate? Or is that more of a valentine's day thing?”

“What about a plush? Girls love them. One that makes ya think of her.”

Humming, he wondered what animal she might be. Was a fox too on the nose? She was slinky and capable of a nasty bite. He really didn't want to be cliché though. Again he emerged, this time in a plum purple and white combination, which received another no, despite it looking suave to Kiryu's eyes. “Should I take her somewhere fancy? Or would that be taking advantage of the ‘expenses paid’ thing?”

“Eh, I'd say ya ask a girl where she wants to go, and if ya get a non committal answer, wherever ya most like to eat. Not a shitty burger joint though. Somewhere with cutlery at least.”

Finally, Kiryu came out wearing a dark red shirt and black slacks. It was the last of the combinations, albeit against the guidelines he was given.

“That's it! That's the one!”

“...but this is basically just how I dress normally aside from the colour of the trousers.” Kiryu protested, sighing.

Majima stood up, looking at different angles. “Ya look like a guy about to bag himself a pop idol. Sexy as fuck! Hoo boy, if Goromi don't want a slice of you, I would.”

Kiryu almost matched the colour of the shirt as he quickly darted back inside to change, trying to calm his heart. He knew it was just another silly Majima thing, but he literally just told him that he would have sex with him. It was just something that friends say to one another, he told himself, attempting to settle down.

“I'm gonna go find ya some shoes, what's yer size?” When Kiryu told him, Majima gave a low whistle, again doing nothing to stop his harsh blush.

As Majima perused the shoes, he found it funny that he was picking out the clothes for his own date to wear. Well, her date. Majima wouldn't be there. Well, he would. Sort of. He'd stopped trying to make sense of Goromi a while ago, just letting her be. He knew Kiryu was nervous about it, but he was sure he was equally so. Yes, Kiryu adored Goromi, but there was that feeling that Majima was being selfish. Deceiving him simply so he could soak up the love and attention like a slutty sponge.

Shiny black dress shoes in hand, he made his way back to the changing room, but he saw Kiryu before he got there. He was carefully putting all the clothes back where Majima picked them up from.
“Ya don't haveta do that, the staff do it for ya.”

“I know, but I don't want to be a bother.” Kiryu said, making sure the clothes were exactly where they had been, including colour and size matching up.

Fuck, could he be any sweeter? Majima had the sudden urge to punch him, but he guessed that was that ‘cute aggression’ he'd heard about.

Kiryu held the bag with the outfit in it close as they walked out of the store, not wanting anything to happen to it. “Thank you, Majima-san. I don't know what I would have done without you.”

“I know what ya woulda done. Worn double denim or corduroy.” Majima made a face. “Outta curiosity, when's the last time ya had a date?”

Kiryu paused, frowning. When was the last time he had a date? He really had to go back through his mind to remember, staring at the concrete, focused on an old bit of gum. “...I think it was about a decade ago.”

“Ten fuckin’ years?! Jesus, ya must be all cobwebby!”

He let free a soft chuckle. “I did try, but he wasn't prepared to make the effort to do something recognisable with his wardrobe or face. The number of times I held the hand of a stranger was frankly embarrassing. Plus, it got me plenty of punches.”

Majima seemed to turn pink around the ears. “...’he’?”

Kiryu froze, realising what he'd just said. Oh, no. What if… Surely after all the sexual jokes he'd made toward him… Majima couldn't be homophobic, could he?
“Y-Yeah, I like more than just girls.”

His face split into a huge grin, clapping his hands. “I knew there was somethin’ drawin’ me to ya! Bisexual bros!” He gave Kiryu an unnecessarily hard slap on the back, continuing on. “Ya need any date tips then? Shake off the rust?”

“From you? Hm. I think I should be okay, I can talk to people.” Kiryu assured, his head on a swivel for a good place to take her to.

Majima tsked and put on a very fake shrill feminine voice, like he was pretending to be an overbearing mother. “Ooh, Kiryu-san, yer so handsome in that getup!”

“I don't want to do this.”

“No, yer meant to compliment her outfit!”

Kiryu sighed. “Oh, Goromi, your dress really suits you.” He replied flatly.

Majima rolled his eye, but clasped his hands beside his face. “Yer soooo sweeeet! What's your favourite…kind of apple?”

“Are you serious?” Kiryu asked, barely concealing his amusement. “That's not how girls talk. Orin apples, by the way.”

“Well, A. ya gotta be ready for questions that come outta left field, and B. orin apples ain't anywhere near as good as fuji. There's a reason they're known worldwide!”

“I'm going home, bye.” Kiryu said, walking faster.

Majima trotted to keep up, giggling. “Don't forget to floss, yeah? Pluck yer nostrils, trim yer nails, all that stuff. Oh, and make sure there ain't any stowaways in yer nose.”

“You're making me anxious.”

“And most importantly, have fun! She's just another girl, yeah? And if she wants to check into a love hotel with ya, make sure ya take precautions.”

Kiryu really wanted to hit him. But they made it to his apartment without any more idiotic quips, which was surprising, and he paused with a foot on the stairs. “Thanks. For this.” He said as he gestured to the bag.

“Anythin’ for my Kiryu-chan!” Majima chimed, then spun on his heel, waving. “See ya later! Good luck on losin’ yer virginity!”

“Idiot.” Kiryu grumbled, heading inside.

The day of the date was tumultuous to say the least. Kiryu didn't have the appetite to eat breakfast, spending all his time by the mirror. He had made sure to shower twice as long as usual, scrubbing his teeth with baking powder to polish them, trimming his nails perfectly, checking every inch of the skin of his face for blemishes. His own face was one he could remember most of the time, but he'd spent so long staring that it looked entirely different to his eyes. When he'd finished his hair he began to pace.

He had the gift all ready and wrapped. He had a plan for where to take her, should she not have a preference on where to eat, still undecided on whether it was okay to take her to the arcade afterwards. Karaoke was too on the nose, right? It was her day job, after all, and this was meant to be relaxing. Bowling in heels would be difficult, he assumed, and she didn't seem like the sort of person to like the batting cages. Maybe he was wrong about that, but he supposed it didn't hurt to ask.

He looked at her posters on his wall, looking at the shape of her nose, her high cheekbones, her odd chunk of hair that was always over one eye, how the other eye sparkled. He wished he could recognise her face. Recall it like he knew others could. She could walk past him in the street and he'd never even notice. It hurt to think about, so he checked his watch again, seeing that he only had an hour. An hour to check his face again. He'd ironed his clothes, laid them out, picked the perfect scent to wear.
He used the toilet again, his organs doing the samba. It was torture. It was worse than torture.

Ping!

Majima:
wuu2? d8 strted yet? ｡^‿▀̿｡

Kiryu:
Not yet. I'm really nervous (ㆆ _ ㆆ)

Majima:
gr8 tht ur using emoticons but tht 1 looks lik ur normal face ( °□▀̿ ) gud luck anywy!!

Kiryu stepped out of the door, careful not to bend too much in case he creased his outfit. Goromi’s studio wasn't far, so he began walking, holding his gift for her tightly. Hundreds of conversation topics he'd both heard and used in cabaret clubs flitted around his mind. None seemed good enough for her.

“Ah, ya must be Kiryu-san.” The man inside the studio said as he walked in. He was tall and broad, wearing a suit as casually as he seemed able to. “I'm Goromi’s manager. Taiga Saejima.”

Kiryu looked him up and down. He did not look like the sort of person to be working in the industry. “Nice to meet you. So…what should I expect?”

Saejima gestured down a hallway, and Kiryu followed. “We just gotta take yer picture, then ya can take her wherever y’want. Just, yanno… Hostess rules I guess. No touchin’, no--”

“I'll respect her, don't worry.” Kiryu assured him.

“She can hold her own, but I gotta tell ya for legal shit.” Saejima stopped outside a door. “Y’ready?”

Kiryu took a deep breath, then nodded.

The door opened. And there she was. Her dress was a glittery dark red, long sleeves and almost floor length with a slit to her thigh. She looked up at him, her eye glittering, lips matching her dress, a coy smile on her beautiful face.
“It's odd we keep meeting like this, Kiryu-chan.” Goromi cooed, patting the seat next to her with her dainty, red polished fingers. “Come over, I won't bite.” He hardly noticed that she was sat on a set, the backdrop bright pink and sparkly.

Kiryu made sure to clench his jaw so he wasn't gawping, dragging his heels a little as he walked over. Nervous was an understatement. He wanted to run, for the first time in his life. But he sat beside her, setting the box on the table, and clenched his fists, not looking at her. “Thank you for giving me this honour, Goromi-san.”

“Don't be so formal, sweetie!” She almost sang. “Come on, big smile for the camera!”

Kiryu looked up at the man behind the tripod, and he seemed nervous. He wondered why. Then he felt Goromi’s arm around his shoulders and he tensed, his heart in his throat.
“Could you lean in a little, Kiryu-san?” The man behind the camera asked, his voice sounding familiar, but much higher, and with an odd mish-mash accent. “And smile.”

Doing as he was asked, Kiryu could feel her breath on his cheek, enveloped in her floral smell, and he tried to relax his face, giving the camera a soft smile. He'd been told many times that his big smiles made him ‘look gassy’ by Nishiki, so he focused on not looking like that.
The camera flashed, and that was it.

“I hope it comes out good, Nishi-- uh… Satō?”

Saejima snorted, and when she looked at him, he rolled his eyes. “Turnover for this job…” was all he said, leading Kiryu to believe that it was hard for her to remember the names of her staff. She must meet hundreds of people a day, and Kiryu was someone she remembered.

“So, where are we going tonight?” She asked, folding her hands in her lap.

Kiryu gulped and took a breath. “Well, would you rather go to Zuboraya, or Tsuruhashi Fugetsu?” Majima had told him to let her pick, and those restaurants were safe choices to him.

“Ooh, let's go to Zuboraya! Good choice!” She stood up and picked up her purse, her ensemble perfectly matched. When Kiryu grabbed her present and stood too he realised that she was a few inches taller than him in her heels.

It felt like a dream, one he didn't want to wake from. Her arm in his, both walking down the street as if they were a normal couple. A few people recognised her and whispered, or took out their phones to take photos.
“Your dress is wonderful.”

“Aww, aren't you sweet? I love your outfit too! We match!” She chirped, fingers feeling the fabric on his arm. “Is that gift for me?”

“O-Oh, yeah…” Kiryu handed over the box and she stopped to open it, nails easily slicing through the wrapping.

She pulled out a little plush dog, pink and fluffy, holding a heart in its mouth, and she gasped. “This is so adorable!” She beamed, making sure to put all of the gift wrapping in a bin. “Thank you so much, Kiryu-chan! I'll treasure him.”

His stomach tied itself in knots at how ecstatic she was, watching how she cuddled it close.

All the way to the restaurant he was too nervous to speak. Everything about her made him feel as if he was hallucinating. The warmth of her body, the clack of her heels, the way she never stopped talking to him, as if picking up on his nerves, trying to soothe him.

“What’s your favourite song of mine?”

He cleared his throat, feeling far too self conscious. “I-I think ‘Butterfly That Dances in the Night’, followed by ‘24hr Cinderella’, and ‘Live My Own Way’.” He couldn’t believe he was actually chatting to her. “I know you probably hear this a lot, but your music makes me feel like anything is possible. Hm. Is that stupid?”

“It’s not stupid, darling. I’m glad it means so much to you. It’s rare to meet someone who actually understands my music.” She made eye contact with him, a warmth in her eye that made his heart do flips. “I know a lot of people in my line of work don't write their songs, but I do. I have journals filled with lyrics. Just whatever makes me happy, I suppose. I've actually been looking for inspiration for a new song for the album. I don't suppose you have any ideas?”

As if Kiryu was anywhere near as talented as her when it came to thinking up lyrics. Her music made him feel things he never had before, and he was left in the chasm of conversation for a long time.
“I'll think.”

Even as they were seated and had ordered drinks, he still couldn't make his mind work. He was sat across from her. Looking at her. She was really there. His face was so warm, hands trembling, unable to think straight.

“I think you need a few drinks, sweetie. Hopefully you'll loosen up, hm?” Goromi flagged a waiter to take their drink order. She seemed to know what he wanted before he even told her, and soon he was nursing a glass of whiskey.

“...How about…” He began, looking at the ice in his drink. “A song about being in love with someone unattainable, and then you meet someone else who catches your eye, someone who you can reach, so your affections are torn between the two?”

Goromi looked up from where she was sipping her juice with a straw. “...Is that from personal experience?”

“I suppose.”

She smiled, leaning on her hand. “Well? I assume the ‘unattainable’ person is me, based on how nervous you are, but what about this other person?” Her voice was tinged with playful teasing that caused his veins to burn with adrenaline.

Kiryu let out a shaky breath, only pausing when their food came, looking at the fugu with disinterest. “I met him a few days ago.” He glanced at her to see if she reacted to the fact that he was talking about a man, but when she didn't seem fazed, he continued. “He's so odd. But he's funny and wild, and he's been nicer to me than anyone I've met since moving here. Plus, he's spent so much time helping me plan for tonight.”

Goromi beamed, her visible ear going pink. “Do you think that he likes you?”

“I don't know.” Kiryu murmured as he picked up his chopsticks. “He makes a lot of jokes to that effect, and he said he's bisexual, but that's no indicator.”

She seemed to sense his discomfort and put some fugu in her mouth, humming with delight at the flavour. When she swallowed, she leant forward a little. “So, tell me, Kiryu-chan… What do you look for in a relationship? What are your deal-breakers?”

“Uh…” He took a sip of his drink to give himself some thinking time. “Someone kind. Entertaining. Good with animals and children. As for deal-breakers, there aren't many I can think of. I suppose someone cowardly, who doesn't stick to their principles. Oh, and liars. I can't stand liars.”

He wondered if he imagined that her soft smile became strained. “So, say, for example, someone you were interested in was keeping something big from you about themselves… would that count as lying?”

Kiryu raised a brow, wondering what she meant. “Hm. If it was something like their orientation, or an odd kink or something, as long as they're comfortable I don't mind knowing either way. I wouldn't judge them for it regardless. But something really big that makes me question if I really knew them at all…I'd rather know from the get go.”

She nodded, leaving it at that and going back to her meal. Kiryu couldn't help wondering if it was something specific she had in mind. He knew idols weren't really supposed to date, and that her personality in public may not have been what she was really like, so he didn't know what conclusion to draw.

The silence felt heavy as he began to eat, trying not to shove it in his face as he was used to doing. The air felt charged, electric. He couldn’t make his head work right to find something to say to pop the growing bubble that kept him from chatting casually. After a few minutes, he cleared his throat, saying the first thing that came into his head. “What's your favourite kind of apple?” Shit. He was gonna kill Majima.

Her face lit up. “Ooh! Let me think… I do love a good orin apple. That honey flavour, and how it's almost like a pear…”

Kiryu should not have found that so exciting. “Mine too.” He mumbled, smiling. He decided he had to change the subject, considering how embarrassed he was.
“So, how did you get into this idol thing?”

Goromi hummed as she finished her mouthful. “I was on a night out with some friends, and I did some karaoke in a bar. Somebody there was a scout, and told me that I had the talent to go far. There were a few complications that I won't go into, but I've known Saejima for a long time, and I said I'd only join up if he was my manager. He's just as good at setting up gigs as he is at being a bodyguard, so it was a perfect arrangement!”

“I'm glad you were found. Otherwise the world would be a lot less bright.” Kiryu said, hating that he was second guessing everything he said around her.

“You're just the sweetest.” Goromi cooed.

They were having dessert by the time Kiryu worked up the courage to ask her something he had been wondering about for a while. “So, your flirting and your songs… are they a persona? Or are you like that when you're off the clock?”

“Good question.” She tapped her chin with her long nails. “I think it's a bit of both. I do put on the Goromi trademark, but it's still me.”

“I wish I could know the Goromi who goes grocery shopping…”

She grinned at him, giggling lightly. “Domestic Goromi isn't something people are allowed to see. No, I only exist for fun. Someone else does all my humdrum activities.”

Kiryu still had it in his mind. Dressed in comfort rather than style, perusing the shelves for makeup, trying on some new shoes, wearing her hair in a towel turban as she painted her nails, a tissue clutched to her face as she watched a drama on TV. He wasn't there in his fantasy. No, he couldn't see a world where he could even be close to her level. It was just her, being a perfect woman, everything about her just as alluring as the star in front of him.

The cool air outside was sobering, and he offered her a cigarette, which she declined due to ‘maintaining image’, so he lit his own with Majima's lighter. “So, uh… Is dinner all we can do? Or can I take you somewhere else?”

Goromi put a dainty hand on his pec, which startled him as she gave his chest a squeeze so light that he wouldn't have felt it were he not suddenly hypersensitive. “You can take me wherever you want, big boy.”

Kiryu gulped, standing as stiff as a board. “...A-Arcade? Or is that stupid? We could go to a bar and play pool?”

“You want to go to an arcade, that's where we'll go!” She curled her arm around his and leant against him, leading him down the street in the direction of Club SEGA.

Chapter Text

“How…?”

“What, an idol can't be good at video games?”

“Well, I thought… Just look.” Kiryu pointed out how every machine in the place had ‘KAZ’ alongside the high score. Aside from the one they had just played on, which displayed a proud ‘GOO’, because Goromi had typed it wrong. “I've been outplayed by Goo.”

She giggled. “Try not to let it get to your head.” When she glanced around for another game to play, she spotted the UFO Catcher, and the fact that it was stocked with Hatsune Miku toys. “Ooh! Would you win me a Miku? She's my hero.”

Kiryu smiled as he pulled a coin from his pocket. “I'll only need one.”

He popped it into the machine and began to maneuver the claw, his face stony with concentration. It moved across, then back, then down. Miku was unscathed as it gripped her head, then slid right off.

“These things are rigged. If you don't get it in the next two goes, it doesn't matter.”

No. He had to. This was for her. The second one picked her up, and he held his breath, hoping that she'd be home in a matter of seconds. The claw loosened slightly, then dropped her back down where she'd been. “Damn it.”

Goromi held up her hands, kissed both palms, then placed them on Kiryu's. He froze, his hand feeling like fire and ice, unable to stop his deep blush. “I just cast a little luck spell. Let's do it together!”

“Mhm.” He nodded, trying to focus on the machine and not how he felt like how a lobster must when about to be dropped into a pot.

The claw slid in slow motion, his mind so focused on not focusing on her hands that he almost forgot where he was. It lowered like a helicopter ladder toward a man beset on all sides by wildfire; too slow, painfully so. For a stupid second he wondered if Miku felt the same.

“Ohh!” Goromi squeezed as the claw gripped the toy, lifting it up, drifting over to the prize chute. When the clunk sounded, Goromi cheered, clapping as she retrieved her newest addition to her gifts from him. “Thank you, Kiryu-chan!” She lifted Miku up, moving her from side to side. “‘Yes, thank you!’” She squeaked in her best vocaloid impression. She brought Miku up to his face and made her kiss his cheek, which made him smile through his blush.

“What should we do now?” Kiryu asked, looking around at the other games. “I think they have DDR upstairs, but I suppose you dance for a living, so…”

Goromi glanced around. “How about a photo?” She asked, gesturing toward the booth. “I'll even sign it for you if you want me to.”

“Is that allowed?” Kiryu asked as he followed her, taking out his photo book that had three photos of himself with Haruka in it.

“Who gives a shi-- I mean, I live by my own rules, darling.” Goromi said, her smile seeming to falter slightly. “Ooh, who's that little cutie?”

“Hm? Oh, that's Haruka.” Hers was one of the only faces he hardly ever blanked on. He rubbed a thumb over one of the photos, nostalgic for when it was just the two of them against the world. Not that he didn't love all his kids, but she was special to him. “...so. Photo.” He didn't want to go into it. It was painful. She clearly picked up on the hint as she slipped behind the curtain, already putting in a coin and choosing the most gaudy background.
They both posed, Goromi giving her flirty eye, Kiryu doing his best to do a smile that didn't make him look constipated.

Then he felt her fingers interlock with his.

The world stopped moving.

She was holding his hand. As if they were a couple. Her palm against his, cool and smooth, her nails ghosting over his knuckles. When the photo flashed she squeezed, her thumb rubbing in small circles over his skin, leaving electricity in its wake. He knew his photos would show him blushing and starstruck, but he didn't care. It was wonderful. Perfect. He wanted it to stop, he wanted it to carry on forever.

Then, all too soon, he smelled the tang of the photo printing, and she moved away from him to collect it. It was like seeing the sun set on the final day of summer. Cold and listless.

“This came out so good! Look at you, you're the colour of the background.” She giggled, showing him. He was bright red, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape. “So cute.” She pulled a marker from her purse and signed it for him, passing it into his hands. He thanked her softly, putting it away, wishing he had the confidence to reach out and hold her hand again.

“This has been really fun.” Kiryu said as they wandered back to the studio.

Goromi nodded. “It has! You're so great to be around.”
Kiryu glanced at her and thinned his lips, his brows knitting further together than usual. She looked at him, making a quizzical noise.

“I was wondering why you always wear your hair over that eye.” He gestured to where it was practically glued over her left eyebrow. “Most idols wear their hair up occasionally.”

She waved a perfect hand. “Most idols aren't me. It adds to my mysterious charm, doesn't it? I've had people speculate that I'm half medusa, that I can turn men to stone if I look at them with this eye. How cool is that?!”

Kiryu chuckled. “I wouldn't mind being a statue, as long as I got to see both of your pretty eyes.”

Goromi gasped and slapped his arm. “You flirt! It's going to be hard to let go of you, mister.”

He was about to retort when he heard a shout from down a side street. “Guys! Look at that! It's that slut Goromi!”

She tsked and attempted to walk faster, but Kiryu had stopped, his shoulders squaring, jaw firm. Like an attack dog who had seen a threat. “Kiryu-chan, just leave it. They're idiots.”

The punks, three of them, saw his glare and began to try and taunt him, calling the pair of them every name they could think of. He wasn't listening though. He strode up to them, scowling hard enough to stop a charging rhino. “Apologise.” He snarled out.

“To that bitch? No way. We ain't bending to her just ‘cause you got your dick wet.”

That was the wrong thing to say. Kiryu grabbed the punk in the middle and swung him around, knocking the other two to the ground, letting go of him so he smacked into the wall with a hollow noise of skull on brick. The remaining pair scrambled to their feet and put up their fists, only for Kiryu to sweep a leg under one, slamming his head into the ground. The third attempted to grab him from behind. He ducked and threw him over himself, slamming him down on top of his friend. Then they were all still.

“I-I'm sorry, miss! Please, call him off!” The only conscious one wheezed.

“There. That wasn't so hard, was it?” Kiryu growled, then walked back to Goromi, his face softening. “I'm sorry. I hope I didn't frighten you.”

She stood frozen for a moment, and then squealed in delight, jumping up and down and clapping her hands. “You're a beast! Oh, I'm gonna swoon!”

“Heh. I just don't like when idiots treat a lady like that.” He linked arms with her and they continued down the street, and he could feel Goromi squeezing his muscles through his sleeve.

“Thank you for everything, Kiryu-chan.” She smiled when they got to the door. “I've loved every moment.”

“I'm glad.” Kiryu said, flexing his hands and glancing at her lips. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her, to wrap her up and make her his. But he respected her far too much to do something so pedestrian as to kiss her after a date. She was a diamond that he wouldn't spoil with his working man’s dirt. “By the way, uh…if this idol thing ever falls through and you need a job… Not that I'm saying it will, because you're the best idol in the business, but just in case…” He took out a card for the hostess club he managed on the weekends and handed it to her.

She took it with a grin. “Ooh, I'd be honoured. I bet you're a fun boss.” She hugged her plush and Miku close, then stepped forward to plant a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Goodnight.”

Heat blossomed from the point of contact, and he felt himself begin to sweat, swallowing hard to push down the lump in his throat where his heart had lodged. He managed to choke out his own ‘goodnight’ without messing up the word, and she winked at him through the glass of the door before disappearing.

His life felt complete. He could die happy. As he saw his reflection in the glass door, he noticed the lipstick mark on his cheek, and he smiled, wearing it as a badge of honour. It almost burnt him, twin embers on his skin. He barely remembered trudging home, the monotony of getting ready for bed feeling like a flipbook of a man other than himself. In bed before he realised, he stared at the posters on his wall, sighing quietly.
He knew she couldn't be his, and he thought that he might have got it out of his system by this point. But he was just as in love as ever.

Ping!

Majima:
sooooooooo?? (⊙ᴗ▀̿)

Kiryu:
Magical.

Majima:
fuk yeh thts my boy! did u c her b00bs? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡▀̿)

Kiryu:
She kissed me on the cheek. I think I'm actually in love with her.

Majima:
u dont say! nvr wld hv guessd (രᴗ▀̿๑)

Kiryu exhaled, looking up at the ceiling. The blank white began to form into her shape. Her colours. He could hear her voice. Gritting his teeth he fully realised it. He was well and truly boned.

oOo

Majima hummed and twirled as he flounced home, grabbing and spinning around the occasional pole he passed. He skipped over the street, leapt over benches, smiled at people he passed. Life was good, and he was embracing it fully.
He gave the doorman a high five, not noticing the nervous expression sent his way and hopped into the elevator, looking at his reflection with a grin. “Ya did it, y’sexy devil. Ya seduced a hottie twice! Now all ya gotta do is reel him in!” He pulled his jacket straight, doing his bedroom eye. “Oh, yeah, sexy as fuck.”

When he finally got to his floor, he did a cartwheel out into the corridor and danced all the way to his door, whistling as he went. He put his hand on the door knob as he fished for his keys. The door creaked open before he found them.

“What the fuck?” He flicked on the lights and stepped in. The place was trashed. Furniture overturned, papers strewn around, even a few keepsakes smashed. He noticed that his TV was still there. The money by the door was still in its bowl. Oh. Oh, no. He sprinted to the bedroom and froze when he saw the wardrobe was open, all of his photos spread around. He frantically looked over them. The ones of early Goromi weren't there. The candid of him halfway through doing makeup with no shirt on, a fond memory of eyeshine and surprise now turned sour. “Shit. Shit!” He kept rummaging. Letters he'd received about her that included himself, gone. The preliminary versions of lyrics, gone. Everything was falling apart.

He fell to his knees, stomach griping. Who could have done this? The bastard he had beaten up? How did they get in? Fuck, what was Kiryu going to say?
He dialled a conference call, and began to ramble down the phone, his voice high and fast.

“Slow down, Majima.” Saejima said. “I'll go to the place you told Nishida about and see if they're still there.”

“I'll see if I can find anything out on the grapevine about it. We have contacts, I can do damage control.” Nishida assured him.

“Just get it done!”

Saejima sighed. “Look, just tidy yer place up and leave it to us, yeah? Relax and go to sleep.”

As if he could go to sleep.

He brought up his contact of Kiryu before he thought about the fact that it was a bad idea, and it was three rings before it clicked.

“Majima-san?” Kiryu said, sounding a little breathless.

Majima was quiet for a moment, but cleared his throat before Kiryu could think that it was a butt dial. “Kinda havin’ a bit of a panic attack.” It wasn't a lie, he was panicking. He was a hair’s breadth away from running out into the street and ripping through people until he found the bastards who had stolen his stuff.

There was the sound of rustling, like someone sitting up. “What do you need? Venting, distraction, or comfort?”

Man, he knew his stuff. Majima supposed that when a guy is a dad of a million orphans he had to be ready to calm them down at a second’s notice. “...distraction.”

Kiryu grunted, paused for a second, then began to talk. “Tell me if you want me to stop talking. Pocket Circuit was invented in 1982 with a 1:32 scale model car that snaps together and runs on AA batteries which turns both axels. The parts are interchangeable without the need for glue, so the possibility for upgrade is endless.”

As Kiryu talked, Majima felt his heart rate slow, his body becoming looser. He pushed the photos and papers off his bed and settled on top of the blankets, listening to him talking about his weird mini car hobby. It felt almost like he was beside him, explaining the mechanics of racing with his lips pressed against his ear. He pulled a pillow to his chest and hugged it tight, imagining he was snuggled up to him.

“Parts such as bumper width extensions, stabilizers, and brakes can be added to better the car's performance through corners, banked turns, elevation changes, and jumps. And… Are you still with me?”

Majima hummed. “Yeah.”

“Feeling better?”

“Yeah.”

“Want me to stop?”

“No.”

Kiryu kept talking, speaking at length about tyre type, something about spikes helping with grass. Majima breathed deeply, focusing on his words, able to picture the tracks and the cars so easily.
“Are there seat belts?”

“...for toy cars?” Kiryu asked, clearly surprised at the question.

“Well, what else do I ask about it now ya told me everythin’ there is to know?” Majima grumbled indignantly.

He heard that trademark chuckle. “There's no seat belts. Why, would you want to ride in one?”

Majima laughed then, the feeling of it cathartic. “Yeah, next time I'm doll size we can go racin’ together.”

“Well, if you want me to show you how to build your own car, I will.” Kiryu said, a smile in his tone. “So, are you okay?”

He knew that Kiryu had had enough of talking at him, but he didn't want to be alone with his worries. “...I don't suppose… Well, could ya stay on the line ‘til…”

Kiryu filled in the sentence himself. “Close your eye.” He whispered, causing Majima to shiver, but he did as he was told. Kiryu didn't raise his voice above a soft breath, his words quiet and level. “The Golem Tiger car is flashy with a spoiler, one that is a personal favourite…”

He was asleep within five minutes, Kiryu hearing his breathing soften and deepen. It felt strange to be with him like this, to have him lulled by his explanation of his favourite hobby. But he didn't mind. He was flattered that he was the first person he chose to help him, and didn't care that he had called in the middle of remembering the night with a little more clarity and passion. He thought about sending a text wishing him well, but he didn't want his notification waking him up from so close to his ear, so he made a mental note to text him in the morning.

Kiryu-chan!!!:
I hope you're feeling better today. ◕‿◕

Majima groaned and rolled over, grappling for his phone and flipping it open. It was 6:34pm, and he tried to blink away the sleep to focus on the message.

He had two other messages alongside Kiryu’s.

Saeji:
We did everything we could. I'm sorry.

Nishida:
Let me know if there's anything you need me to do, boss. Anything at all.

Majima sat bolt upright, his heart hammering as he searched Goromi’s name. The fan club website was the latest to be updated. He almost crushed his phone in his grip as he watched the loading bar sluggishly drag across the top of the screen, like tracking the path of a bullet aimed at his head.

‘FRAUD!’

His face went pale.

‘I can't believe I fell for this. I thought she was a real woman all these years!’

Stomach twisting, he felt like he was about to puke.

‘I'm burning all my merch. This is disgusting. I feel sorry for the poor guy who went on a date with ‘her’.’

He couldn't feel his limbs, lungs not working properly.

‘If I ever see that guy in real life, I'm gonna pin him to a wall and pull off his--’

Majima ran to the bathroom and hunched over the toilet, hacking up bile. Oh, god. It was so much worse than he thought. Of course he knew this day was coming, but not like this. Not when he had the world in the palm of his hand. Happiness had been close enough to touch, and he'd been ripped away from it like velcro. He didn't know what to do. Was this it? Was Goromi dead? He didn't want to put her away. She meant everything to him. He couldn't hide her. It would hurt much more than any of the threats piling up on the message boards.

The water of the shower helped somewhat. He had time to think, weighing his options. Clearly his career was done. Saejima’s too, as he was only in the job to work with Goromi. And Nishida he wanted to keep, nobody else took a smack like him, and could still arrange for a dinner of a bit of food from every place on one street to all be delivered hot after said smack. He remembered what Kiryu had said about her always having a job at his cabaret club.

Kiryu... He imagined a punch. A kick. Harsh words about tricking him, making him fall for her when she wasn't ‘real’. It hurt more than he could say, thinking about how much he probably hated him now. Would he simply slam the door in his face? Or would he shove one poster down his throat, one up his ass, and the little photo they took together down his dick first?

There was unfortunately only one way to find out. And he wasn't looking forward to it.

Chapter Text

Majima flung open his wardrobe, glaring at the dresses there. He picked out his pink snakeskin one and threw it on the bed, then found the matching heart eyepatch she had worn so long ago. Hoop earrings, bangles, a hair bow and an elegant necklace. Fishnets and pink heels. Then he began to create her, sat with his makeup box for two hours. Purple eyeshadow. Rouged cheeks. Red lipstick. Gloves off and pink acrylics. The wig was still black, but put up, no hiding the missing eye anymore. Finally the dress and accessories, the icing on the cake, turning Majima into Goromi with a flourish.

She looked in the mirror, turning this way and that, admiring herself. Like this, she felt invincible. There was nothing she couldn't do. She was Goromi, and nobody else mattered.

The moment she stepped out onto the night people stared at her. Almost every person grimaced at her. When an idiot tried to get up in her face she kicked him so hard she thought her heel might go through the other side of his head. The further she marched down the street the more emboldened she became, ready for anything that came her way, no matter what it was.

That was, of course, until she saw Kiryu's apartment.

This was it. The moment of truth. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Whatever words of damnation came at her, she wouldn't falter. She could take a punch, even one as bone breaking as Kiryu’s. She would miss him, his soft words, how much he cared for her, how he was so shredded she could crack her teeth on his abs. She would just apologise, and then leave after he'd finished telling her how much he hated her.

Each stair felt like walking to the gallows. The weight of her deception pressed down on her, each step echoing the frantic thumping of her heart. The cold of the railing below her fingers was such a sharp contrast to the warmth of the hand she had held the day before. Each soft clank of her shoe against metal was another small step closer to the crumble of her perfectly crafted illusion. The conversation she'd had with him over their fugu replayed in her head, that he hated liars, and her food had been laced with the bitter tang of deceit. Halfway up, and the fear of seeing his gentle demeanour turn to loathing was like a thick blanket over her face, suffocating. She wanted to turn back and disappear back into the crowds, to spend her life not knowing instead of confronting it. For all her confidence and bravado, she was scared. For the first time in her life she was actually scared.

Reaching his door, Goromi hesitated, her hand hovering in a fist. Taking a deep breath, she knocked. No turning back. She heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching the door, then the click of the lock.
The door opened.

Her own voice greeted her, her music drifting out of Kiryu’s apartment. He was dressed in one of her t-shirts, with the matching pyjama pants, and a Goromi cap on his head. His face was speckled with her glittery stickers, the ones with hearts and stars and her name.

“Goromi.” Kiryu breathed, his eyes on her eyepatch. He immediately looked away, however, glancing her up and down. “You look amazing.”

She narrowed her eye. “Didn't ya hear the news?” She asked in Majima's voice.

“I did. I'm so sorry. I know it meant everything to you.” Kiryu frowned, exhaling. “Come in, I'll make some tea.” He said, taking off his hat and hanging it on the coat hook.

She followed him, confused. Where was the shouting? The punching? “So… Y’gonna lecture me or some shit?”

Kiryu turned away from the kettle, frowning. “What for?”

“Uh, for lyin’ to ya?!” She growled, unsure of how dumb he was that he didn't see that.

Face softening, he stepped toward her and took her hands in his own. “I thought about it for all of five minutes. At first I was hurt that you didn't confide in me. Then I was angry at myself for not spotting it before. And after that, I realised that it makes things a lot simpler. I mean…” He went pink, clearing his throat. “Well, I'm not torn between two people, am I? You… You do know how I feel about you.”

She looked at his hands, squeezing them gently, and back up to his beautiful eyes. “Even after all that shit? The contests and stuff?”

“The fact that I got to meet both of you is the best part of all this. Honestly, I'm still feeling a little starstruck.” He breathed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his face scrunched slightly. “Goromi took me clothes shopping…”

“No, no…” She said, her voice returning to a gentle, feminine lilt. “Goro took you clothes shopping. Goromi got to enjoy the result. Someone can be two things.”

Kiryu looked dumbfounded. “...I wondered why you didn't tell me your first name.” He let go of her hands when the kettle clicked. He carried their teas to the table and sat down, motioning for her to sit opposite. “A lot of things are making sense now.”

She leant on the table, head in her hand, and blew an annoyed razzberry. “I bet. I was really enjoying it, you know. Not that I liked lying to you, because I didn't, but I loved being able to be around you without you knowing who I was. Just… listening to you gush about me.” She grinned when he blushed deeper, taking a deep drink of her tea. “Kind of a turn-on, really.”

Kiryu cleared his throat. “Well… I was wondering… If, as long as it's alright with you, we could maybe…” He filled in some thinking time with the rest of his own drink. “God, this would be so much easier to say to Goro. I feel like I'm about to have a heart attack.”

Goromi tittered. “Go on, big boy. You can do it.”

“Would you… If you feel about me how I do about you…” He was clearly struggling, and she'd raised to her knees, almost leaning all the way across the table. “Goromi, will you be my--”

Kiryu’s phone began to ring. He growled a ‘damn it’ under his breath and snatched it up, only to see the contact name, his face softening. He flipped his phone open and pressed the answer button.

Goromi could hear the voice on the other side of the call. “Uncle Kaz! Did you hear the news about Goromi?!”

“Yeah, I did.”

“She's a man! Are you okay? Is there anything I can do?”

Kiryu chuckled softly. “Haruka, it's okay. I'm not upset. She's not a man, not when she's wearing her dress. Like how a caterpillar isn't a caterpillar when it becomes a butterfly.” He smiled to himself at his good analogy. “She's here now actually, we've patched it up, it's okay.”

“O-Oh. I think I get it. She… she didn't hear me just then, did she?”

Kiryu made eye contact with Goromi, who made a show of covering her ears. “No, she didn't. Can I call you back? I'm in the middle of something.”

“Of course. See you later!”

He set his phone aside, smiling apologetically. “Sorry about that.”

Goromi twirled her hair, smiling. “You were about to ask me something.” She said, dragging out the sentence.

“You're enjoying this.”

“How dare you! Just because I want to colour match your face to find some new eyeshadow? The nerve!” She beamed, wiggling her hips back and forth. “Come on, ask, ask.”

Kiryu rubbed his cheeks with both hands, then looked up at her. “I want you. Both of you. Just for me.”

She squealed with delight and leapt over the table, both mugs jumping and toppling, thankfully empty but one now without a handle. He was surprised, immediately raising his hands to catch her, his aim slightly off. She slipped, her head crashing into his with a thud that made them both groan, and she rubbed her forehead as she sat in his lap. “Fuck, that could've gone better.” She shrugged, about to grind her hips down into his pelvis.
Laughing, Kiryu wrapped his arms around her and scooped her so she was laid like a pampered cat across his lap. She bared her teeth. “I was trying to be sexy, you idiot.”

“Yeah, right. Goromi doesn't ‘try’ to be sexy. That'd be like saying a fish ‘tries’ to swim.” Kiryu said as he stroked her hair. “...Wait, is this a wig? Or is your other hair a wig?”

“This is a wig, but it's modelled on how my hair used to be back in the 80s.” Her voice shook slightly as he ran his knuckles over her cheek. “I can take it off if--”

“Don't. Not if you don't want to.” Kiryu muttered, continuing to caress her face. His finger caught her eyepatch strap and he hissed, drawing his hand away. She gripped his wrist and pulled his hand back again. “Sorry.”

“Don't be. It doesn't hurt or anything.” She tried to sit up, her eye on his lips, but he held her tightly, leaning his head down to rest his forehead against hers. “Should we make out and hit the springs?” She whispered with a grin.

He shook his head the smallest amount. “Let me enjoy just having you.”

She whined, kicking her legs petulantly. “Goromi wants to kiss you, and you're not interested?!”

Kiryu chuckled softly. “I don't want to ruin your lipstick. Besides, I was lying when I said everything was all patched up with your double life, I'm still processing my two favourite people being one person. You don't eat the sugar when you can wait and have the cake.”

“Bastard.” Goromi pressed her forehead against his hard, hurting both their slight sore patches from earlier, and he frowned, pulling back. She pried herself from his grip and shuffled to sit between his legs, her back against his firm chest. “How did you find out, anyway?”

Kiryu picked up his phone and scrolled to the local news page. The headline was damning to say the least, and she hissed like an angry cat at it. “They clearly don't know how special you are.”

“I'm gonna find out who outed me and shove their tongue so far up their ass they can taste their own uvula.” She leant her head on his shoulder, looking up into his eyes.
“...Can I see your photos?”

“Why?”

“Bonding. You show me yours, I'll show you mine.”

Kiryu was a little apprehensive, but the thought of seeing what she had on her phone was intriguing enough to pique his interest.

His photos were odd. Artsy pics, neon and golden hour lighting, a cat, a selfie of him where his smile looked like he was having a difficult shit (which seemed to be the norm for his bigger smiles), another cat, a bowl of ramen with heart shaped pork in it, her, her, a cat, her, a recipe for tempura taken in a bookshop, her, a cat, another selfie with a poster of her.

Goromi’s photos were no less weird. Glitter and sparkles, some song lyrics jotted on a napkin, a shiny new baseball bat, five selfies in a row of varying levels of sexiness, a few photos of dresses, Nishida with his head stuck in a bucket, diamond earrings, Hatsune Miku, and a blurry photo of Kiryu taken from a distance.
He looked at it for a moment, humming in thought, then pressed the camera button, holding the phone up. She immediately held up both hands in peace signs, pulling a kissy face, and he gave his best suave expression. He texted it to himself, then gave her the phone back. “I expected nudes, honestly.” He blurted out.

“Oh, did you now? Well, the next time I take a nude, you'll be the first to see it.” She crooned, grazing her nails across his forearm, giggling at his flush. “Ugh, can we make out now?”

He laughed and nuzzled his face into her neck. “Just a little while longer.”

“I'll write a song about you, I mean it! One that rhymes Kiryu with ‘fuck you’.” She said the last two words in English, and he drew back and blinked at her. “Forget it.” She sighed and raised a hand to stroke his hair. “If we can't play tongue hockey, how about you tell me when you realised that you liked Goro as well as Goromi?”

Kiryu hummed, leaning into her touch. “Honestly, it came bit by bit. It really hit me when we had that yakiniku… I realised how much I was enjoying myself.”

“For me it was pretty much on sight.” She said as she began to take the glittery stickers off his face and put them on his shirt. “And then you turned out to be the sweetest guy on the planet, and I knew I had to have you.” She said, squishing his cheeks. “Cutie.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but his watch beeped. “Oh. Dinner time already?” He looked down at her, then smiled. “Would you…want to stay over?”

“For--”

“Not for sex.” He said, anticipating her thought perfectly.

“Fiiiine.” She pouted. “Can I have a shower while you cook? Oh, wait, I didn't bring a change of clothes.”

He tsked and stood up, going to his dresser and pulling out a full set of clothes. “Will these do?”

Goromi smiled and stood, giving him a peck on the cheek as she took them. “Sweetest, I swear.”

It felt good to get comfy. Kiryu's clothes were loose, considering he was at least twice as wide with those hunky shoulders and arms like King Kong’s fingers. The shirt was a Pocket Circuit one, with a pair of pyjama shorts, and Kiryu's underwear. It felt wrong to be wearing them, but so right.
Clean and happy, Majima brushed his wig and wrapped it carefully in the dress, taking a moment to set it by the door before padding back to the table.

Kiryu was singing as he cooked, and Majima let himself float on his melody, the song sounding so much better in his rumbling timbre.

‘The disco floor is crowded
People filling the room
Clandestine, I'm clouded
Safe within my cocoon
But as the sun goes down
The voices go quiet
I'm shrouded in my gown
And I'm ready to riot!

I unfurl my wings, an exquisite sight
The butterfly that dances in the night
My music lifts me, and I take flight
The butterfly that dances in the night’

“God, I'd love to hear ya do that at karaoke.”

Kiryu seemed to startle, looking over his shoulder. “O-Oh. Sorry, it's my favourite song of hers-- yours, I mean.”

“Y’can say ‘hers’. Does feel different bein’ her than me, so, yanno…” It was difficult to explain, his relationship with Goromi was a mystery even to him. “Do ya need any help over there?”

Kiryu shook his head. “I'm fine, thank you.”

Majima leant on his arms, eye on Kiryu's wide shoulders. He bent at the waist to fetch something from a cupboard, his pyjamas hugging his ass perfectly. It made him a little self conscious about his own lack of junk in his trunk, but he mostly just enjoyed the show.
“Hey, uh… Ya hate workin’ here, don't ya?”

“Hm? Oh, I wouldn't say hate. I'd rather be with my kids, and I do miss Ryukyu, but I don't mind scraping money together for them.” Kiryu said as he began to plate the food.

“I just thought… I hate Sotenbori with a passion. And I'd love to see Okinawa. And I'm sittin’ on a huge amount of cash.” Majima said, drawing a circle on the table.

Kiryu frowned as he brought the plates over. “I don't want charity.”

Majima sighed very heavily. “I wasn't suggestin’ that, ya big doofus. Here I am, a rich disgraced idol, lost in a world that thinks I'm some sorta perv, and here ya are, a strong and handsome guy who needs money.”

“...Yeah?” Kiryu narrowed his eyes.

“Idiot.” Majima grumbled, realising he had to be direct. “Look, I'm gonna move to Ryukyu, get myself a li’l place, and hire a bodyguard. And it had better be you!”

“But you can take care of yourself.”

“That's not the point and ya know it, Kiryu-chan.” He said as he shoved some food in his face. “If ya don't come with me, I'll-- oh shit this is good.” He immediately went quiet to savour the tonkatsu, humming with pleasure.

Kiryu scratched his chin with the butt of his chopsticks, pondering. “...Would it be okay if I asked my kids first?”

“Yeah, sure. S’gonna be great if ya say yes.”

They chatted about nothing and everything as they ate, the evening winding down. Although he'd only been awake a few hours, he'd had enough emotions to last him the rest of his life, so Majima was sleepy even before Kiryu poured him a little whiskey.

After the dishes were done, and Majima helped dry them, Kiryu dug out a spare futon, placing both beside one another, then went to go wash up. Majima quickly looked in the mirror, tidying his hair and removing any food on his face, trying to make himself look sexier than he felt in baggy clothes with dark eye bags. Goromi was someone who could melt men with a single look. Majima felt like a kid waiting to hear a reply from his crush. It was honestly embarrassing.

Kiryu turned off the bathroom light as he walked in, having taken off his shirt, just in his Goromi pyjama pants. He was beautiful. The body of a man who men wanted to be, women wanted to have, and Majima wanted to ravish. As he closed the blinds and made sure the door was locked his muscles moved fluidly, the definition so tantalising that if Majima was sat on a stick of dynamite the whole place would go up.

Something suddenly occurred to him. “Shit, I ain't got my sleepin’ patch.” He growled, scratching his cheekbone.

“Oh. I could go to the pharmacy and see if they have some? Or I could try and make you one?”

Majima huffed. “Nah, don't go to any trouble. It just… I'll keep it on.”

They both sat down in bed, the single lamp illuminating them, and Kiryu looked at his eyepatch. “...Can I ask how…?”

“Nope. That's for Level 3 Kiryu-chans only. Yer Level 1 now.” At his confusion, Majima giggled. “Level 2 is a kiss. Level 3 is a bonin’ that kills me.”

Kiryu rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay, I get it.” He shook his head and laid down, rolling onto his side, propping his head up on his arm. “Will you be uncomfortable with it off?”

“...I dunno. It feels like gettin’ my dick out at an old folks home.” He hesitated for a moment, and then lifted his hands to the strap. Kiryu turned to touch the lamp switch, not watching. It felt as if he were being unnecessarily vulnerable. But Kiryu was perfect, he was caring and gentle, and he knew he could trust him.
He settled down in bed, and gave Kiryu the okay to turn off the light.

As soon as Kiryu laid down beside him, he felt his large, warm hand on his arm. He could vaguely see his outline, knowing he was looking at him, and Majima could feel his breath on his face. They just stayed there, both staring at the other, only seeing darkness. It was comfortable and safe, the world not mattering for a moment, only the pair of them existing.
Then Majima felt lips on his own, soft and tender, the kiss speaking of longing and love. He immediately reciprocated, pressing closer, feeling Kiryu's racing heartbeat as if it were his own. He lost himself in the sensation, two halves becoming whole, gluing parts he didn't realise were fractured back together with the most glittering gold.

When they broke apart, Kiryu wrapped his arms around him, holding him close against his broad chest. Majima tangled their legs together, the pair of them fitting together as if they were made for each other.
“...are there any other alter egos I should know about?”

“Oh, yeah, hundreds.” Majima mumbled sleepily against his neck.

Kiryu chuckled quietly and kissed the top of his head before getting in a comfortable sleeping position, reading his delivery as a joke. The last thought Majima had before sleeping was that he should break out some of his costumes soon. Maybe Kiryu was ready to meet zombie Majima. Or police Majima. Maybe Hannya man too.

Chapter Text

“How do you keep your eyelids closed?” Kiryu asked as he brought Majima a coffee. “Is that rude to ask?”

“Real great at makin’ me feel comfortable, Kiryu-chan.” Majima grumbled, sipping his drink and adjusting his patch to fit better. “I got a silicone implant, and they sutured my eyelids shut. Otherwise that side of my face would fall without the support.”

“Huh. I didn't realise an eyeball was that important for face structure.” Kiryu mused. “I'm glad you got to see a doctor though.”

“Vet.” Majima corrected, ignoring Kiryu's look of horror. “So, how many kids ya got?”

Kiryu tried not to imagine Majima at the vet, pushing away the image of him with a cone on his head, instead focusing himself on the orphanage. He began to tell him all about Morning Glory, all the difficulties he had with it, and how his life had become wonderfully domestic.
“They're all so sweet. I miss them. But feeding all of those kids, plus the storm that all but destroyed the roof… I got into debt. So here I am.”

“Why not work over there?” Majima asked.

Kiryu sighed softly. “It's complicated. Too many people know me, and it would impact the kids if their classmates saw me.”

“That's bullshit, but if that's how ya feel, that's how ya feel.” Majima paused for a beat. “Would it be different if I hired ya?”

“I don't know. I don't even know if the kids will be okay with it yet.” Kiryu’s head suddenly snapped up and he tsked, going to the kitchen. “It's been so long since I ate breakfast myself, I nearly forgot…”

“Huh. I usually have Nishida fetch me somethin’ from the bakery.”

Just as they were about to start eating their breakfast of rice and miso, Kiryu’s phone rang, Haruka calling again.
“Do you mind if I…?”

“‘course not.” Majima said, spraying a little rice onto the table.

It was usual for Haruka to call, mostly once a day, just giving Kiryu an update on how things were going, so he took it just outside the door, lighting the first cigarette of the day and enjoying the way the ashy sweet taste mingled with the coffee flavour.

Haruka told him about what had happened since her last update, how she had aced her test, and Shiro was being a good tutor, and Taichi was really getting into playing baseball rather than constantly wrestling everyone.
“Anyway, did you have fun with Goromi-san last night?”

“Yeah, we talked for a while, had a sleepover…” He looked at the closed door, then turned to lean on the railing opposite, exhaling a cloud of smoke. “I've got something I need to ask you about. And I'd like everyone else's opinion too.”

Haruka told him to wait a moment, and then he heard her trying to round everyone up from where they were getting ready for school. He smiled as he imagined if he were there, missing the pigtails and lost socks and bento boxes and textbooks.
“Okay, everyone is here. I can't remember how to put it on speaker, so I'll just repeat to everyone.”

Kiryu cleared his throat. “Goromi isn't an idol anymore, not after everyone found out she's not always a girl. Sometimes he's a boy, and that's okay. When he's a boy he's called Goro Majima. He's offered to move to Okinawa and hire me as a bodyguard so I can have a job while staying in the orphanage. It might mean Majima visiting Morning Glory. I need to make sure you're all happy with that before I decide.”

There was a moment of frantic whispering before Haruka piped up. “As long as you come home, we all think it's an amazing idea!”

Kiryu thought about it. Free of Sotenbori. Free of his crushing jobs and the endless cycle of paychecks and city stink.
“I'll make sure to keep you updated.”

“Good luck, Uncle Kaz!” the kids chorused, and Haruka bid him goodbye before hanging up.

Grinding his cigarette under his heel, Kiryu walked back in to find Majima frozen in place in front of the full length mirror. He was wearing Kiryu's red shirt and grey suit, looking at him as if he'd just been caught at a murder scene with the knife.
“I was just…wonderin’ what it felt like to be Kiryu-chan!”

“If you're annoyed, you've got it spot on.” Kiryu grumbled, pulling the jacket off Majima's shoulders. “I'm going to go quit my jobs.”

Majima furrowed his brow, then broke into a beaming grin, giggling like a madman. “Yahoo! Beach life with my Kiryu-chan!” He shrieked, clapping his hands. “I'm gonna learn how to surf.”

“Do you want to stay here? Or do you need to get back?” Kiryu asked as he practically peeled his clothes off his boyfriend. Boyfriend. Oh, such a wonderful word. “I don't want you feeling unsafe in your apartment.”

Majima hummed, stroking his chin. “Well… I know I could absolutely kick the ass of anyone who tried anythin’. But the thought of disgruntled fans findin’ my place is scary.” He mumbled, putting the pyjamas back on as Kiryu stripped him, soon looking at a fully dressed hottie ready to turn his life around. “I'll stay. Poke through yer stuff, eat what's in yer fridge.”

“You'll have to find it first. Nothing in here but me, really.” He moved to the genkan to put on his shoes. “I won't be long.”

When Kiryu had gone, Majima called Saejima and gushed about his night, laid on the floor with his legs kicking behind him. “And then we kissed! Oh, it was magical, Saeji. I swear, it was like havin’ my first ever peach, just the best experience.”

“Did’ya have a reason for callin’, or is it just this?”

Majima huffed with overexaggerated offence. “Well, now I ain't gonna tell ya about me movin’ to Okinawa!”

Saejima was quiet for a moment. “...that would actually be helpful. The company has really taken a hit so I've got dickheads breathin’ down my neck about it. But if ya were to disappear, they could spin somethin’ about not knowin’ y’had a cock.”

“Y’d be okay on yer own? Not gonna miss ol’ Maji-chan?” He cooed sweetly.

“I'd visit.” Saejima assured. “Oh, would ya take Nishida with ya? I think if y’left he'd cry.”

Majima snorted. “Suuure. He don't like me that much.”

“Talk to him yerself. Anyway, I gotta bounce. The media won't lie to itself. Actually, it will, but yanno.”

It felt weird that he wasn't going to see Saejima as much anymore, but he supposed the hot guy distribution system had to take one dilf to give him another.
He called Nishida then, the phone picking up after one ring.

“Boss! What do you need?” Man, he sounded far too eager.

“My usual asskickin’ clothes. Then pack up my apartment and buy me the swankiest place by the sea in Fukuoka. I'm movin’ to Okinawa!”

Nishida made a strangled noise like he'd been trod on. “M-Moving to Okinawa?! O-Oh… I, ah… Good for you, sir. I really hope you enjoy it there.”

Majima rolled his eye. “Yer comin’ too, dumbass. I gotta have a butler, don't I?!”

“I am? Oh! Oh, okay! I'll send you some listings and--”

“Nah, just get it bought. Sooner the better. If I don't like it I'll use yer nutsack to make a tasteful chandelier.” He knew that Nishida had a mental profile of everything that Majima liked for pretty much the entirety of the world. He probably knew what kind of sea slug was his favourite - blue dragon - so he trusted him to find something to suit him. “I'll text ya the address of where I am. And a list o’ clothes.”

“I'm on it, boss.” Nishida said, and Majima knew he was.

oOo

Kiryu walked in and was surprised to see Majima wearing his regular outfit. He quickly supposed he must have had it brought for him, and shrugged it off. “The girls were sad that I quit. I just wish I'd have had Goromi working for me for a little bit.”

“She's actually been a hostess before.” Majima smirked, digging through his bag. “Not a very successful one.”

“I'd have spent every yen I ever earnt if I went to that club.” Kiryu said with a soft sigh that was meant to be dreamy had it come from someone else. “So, I'm free for the rest of the day. What should we do?”

“I wanna go on a proper date! A man and a lady, both hangin’ out, havin’ fun.”

“Hm.” Kiryu rubbed his chin as Majima got out his makeup box. “You're not worried about people seeing Goromi and being rude? I mean, I'd defend you, obviously, but--”

Majima reached up and grabbed Kiryu's hand, pulling him down onto the floor and slipping a headband over his hair. “Goromi ain't gonna be out tonight.”

It took a long time for Kiryu to realise what was going on, a brush halfway to his face before he frowned and grabbed his wrist. “No.”

“What?! But Kiryu-channn!” Majima put on a puppydog expression, batting his eyelashes. “Don't be a wimp! You gotta try anythin’ once! Well, I think tonight is the night! Besides, I think ya’d make a real pretty lady.”

Kiryu wanted to say no. He really did. But then he paused. Majima loved wearing makeup and dresses, and if such wonderful songs could come of it, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. He'd tried so many things in his life, but never drag. He supposed if he hated it he could just wipe it off before they went out.
“Okay, fine.”

Majima all but squealed with delight, then moved close, beginning the long process of transformation.
“Never felt the urge to wear somethin’ pretty?”

“No. I barely feel the urge to wear fashionable clothes. My brother always told me that I had no fashion sense. You know that already.” Kiryu said, closing his eyes when told. “Do I have to wear a thong?”

Majima cackled. “Not if ya don't wanna. I have a few outfits with me that would fit yer monster man muscles, so we can see what ya like. It'll be okay, yeah? This is a safe, non-judgemental space.” He blew gently on his face to get off some of the excess foundation, making Kiryu shiver. “Y’got a great complexion. Really fightin’ the urge to pluck them brows though, since I know I'd miss em lots.”

Kiryu huffed. “No changes I can't undo immediately.”

Majima picked a red eyeshadow, his touch gentle as he made sure it was even. “I learnt makeup from the girls at a cabaret club. They taught me everythin’ I know.”

“You can't keep giving me snippets of your backstory and not revealing anything about it.”

“I sure can, babe.”

Kiryu wasn't good at not squeezing his eyes when it came to eyeliner, which made it extra hard for Majima considering he only ever had to line one eye. Symmetry was not his strong suit, but he managed to get it pretty spot on after a while of bobbing his head back and forth between both sides of Kiryu's face. False eyelashes were simple enough, however.
The final step was lipstick, which was easy, and gave his lips a wonderful pop.

“Now, let's see. I've got a white one and a red one. The white is a cute li’l tea length halter, really sparkly, gives the illusion of tittery without much padding, but y’got yer own padding with them bazongas. The red is kinda a fit-and-flare that does fuckin’ wonders for makin’ ya look like ya got hips for days. Silky fabric, real slinky.”

Kiryu hummed. “I like the sound of the red.”

Majima didn't let Kiryu see before it was finished, so Kiryu had to stand and let himself be dressed, grumbling the whole time as the dress was pulled up and the wig was fit to his head. He was sure he'd look awful, like someone dressing up for a bachelor party, imagining balloons down his top and heels that made him walk like a penguin.

“Okay, and finally, shoes! I actually had Nishida pick up your size on the way here, since mine are smaller than yours.” Majima brought out a pair of black pumps, thankfully no heels as Kiryu was sure he'd break his ankle if he tried to walk in them.

Kiryu closed his eyes as Majima positioned him in front of the mirror, holding his breath. Why was he so nervous? It was just dressing up. Surely makeup and a dress couldn't make him different? He'd just sigh and decide to wear his usual suit.

He opened his eyes.

A beautiful woman looked back at him.

Kiryu stared, unable to see his own face in the mirror. Just this woman, this stranger, who looked like a movie star. Her hips were ample in the dress, her chest seeming like it actually had some heft to it. Her makeup was immaculate, accentuating her cheekbones, making her eyes seem huge and so soft. The only thing that detracted from her face was her beard, and even that made her look stunning. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, how broad they were seeming inconsequential. The little details didn't matter. The whole outfit made her resplendent.

“Kiryu-chan? Y’good?”

“Kazumi.”

Majima looked at her reflection with a small smirk. “Kinda seems like ya just took the first two syllables of yer name and added a ‘mi’. Like someone else we could mention.”

“What happened to a ‘safe, non-judgemental space’?!”

“Don't pop a tit, Kazumi-chan, just teasin’.” The name felt odd, but right. She was Kazumi. It fit like a glove, and she sank into it like a sugar cube in a cup of coffee, everything warm and sweet.

Stepping into the street was another matter. Kazumi had been to okama bars before, so she didn't hold any prejudices, but she still wanted to feel like a woman that night. Not like a man in drag. She didn't even know if the distinction was important, or okay to want. Anxiety gripped her when she thought about it, exhaling shakily as she stood on the stairs leading down to the pavement.

Majima's hand clasped hers, and she suddenly felt a rush of euphoria. She could do this. She knew she could. With a deep breath, she took the first step, feeling like she was on the precipice of a skydive.

The street was alive with neon and music, a stark contrast to the dim calm of the apartment. The city thrummed, beckoning them to the night's adventure. Kazumi had feared jeers, laughter, and pointing. But nobody seemed to bat an eyelid. She even drew one or two appreciative looks from a few people, bending their necks to admire her after they had passed by.

Majima led her to a small, unassuming bar, keeping a tight hold of her hand. “Y’won’t feel outta place here. It's a great dive for when yer feelin’ adventurous.”
A wall of noise and smells hit her as soon as the door opened. Voices and bassy music, perfumes and alcohol, her senses immediately overwhelmed. She noticed that there were no tired businessmen or young just-legal kids flashing new IDs. They were people who were wearing only the flashiest outfits, a few drag queens, but many more simply in costume. She even saw Hatsune Miku there, which made her laugh quietly.

Majima got a seat at the bar, actually looking underdressed, and Kazumi followed suit. The Mama called her ‘gorgeous’ when she asked for her drink order, which made her stupidly happy.

Two whiskey highballs, and the pair clinked glasses, Majima making sure Kazumi used a straw so as not to smudge her lipstick.

“So… Is this how it feels to be Goromi?” She asked as she stirred her ice absently. “Like anything is possible?”

“Yup! Addictive, ain't it?” Majima's eye sparkled. “I knew y’d enjoy it.”

Truly it felt incredible. She could be both strong and delicate. Powerful and vulnerable. The worry that she'd seem like she was simply wearing a costume melted away, giving her a sense of liberation in her new skin. But then again, it felt like a mayfly; a beautiful dance in the sunlight, and then it would be over by the next day. She couldn't live as Kazumi for every night, she knew that. It was a fleeting moment away from herself. Majima excused himself for a second, claiming he had to go to the bathroom, and she focused on her drink, gnawing at her straw.

“Don't sit there lookin’ like that when ya look like that!” Majima said from behind her, making her jump. “Gotta get ya on the dance floor, babe!” He cackled as he stood up, offering her his hand.

She swallowed hard when she remembered that she hadn't danced since discos in the 80s, and the fact that the person she was going to be dancing with was famous on the basis of dancing… It didn't fill her with confidence. But Majima simply smiled and pulled her to the middle of the floor, twirling her so her dress billowed, her figure positively bewitching. He pointed to the DJ, who nodded and switched tracks, the song effortlessly blending into her favourite. The one song she needed.

She smiled at Majima, who knew she knew the dance moves, coaching her through a simple version. She caught on fast, her movements fluid and graceful. As the music swelled and the lights flashed the hues of the music she felt a new sense of purpose. She suddenly realised herself. Kazumi wasn't Kiryu. She could be whoever she wanted to be. The other people dancing began to sing along, chorused in voice and spirit.

I unfurl my wings, an exquisite sight
The butterfly that dances in the night

Kazumi felt hands on her hips, and she just had enough time to jump as Majima lifted her, giggling as he spun her around, the breeze in her hair.

My music lifts me, and I take flight
The butterfly that dances in the night

He set her down in front of him with a cocky eyebrow wiggle. She shook her head and stepped forward, the song pulsing between them as she caught his lips in a kiss. She could feel his laugh on her top lip, his arms around her shoulders. He coaxed her to keep dancing, which didn't end too well, as the fast pace made her lips smear all over his lower face, both of them covered in red.

Thankfully Majima had helpfully packed some wipes in her bag.

The night grew late, and the bar grew quiet. The pair stumbled out into the cool air, both laughing and clinging to one another. As they walked arm in arm, Kazumi turned to Majima. "Thank you." She whispered. "I'd never have thought..."

“Which was the best bit?” Majima asked.

Kazumi was quiet for a moment, then she laughed. “When that old man said he liked a woman with a husky voice.”

Majima snorted. “It's not so much husky as ya smoked a whole cigarette factory! I do love it though, real hot.” He pulled her over to a takoyaki stand, the perfect food to round out the night with. “Ahh, my favourite.” He mused when they got their boxes.

“Mine too.” Kazumi smiled as they sat on some stairs nearby, watching people walk past, the thrill of the evening slowing to a wonderfully soft buzz.

“Oh, I almost forgot.” Majima pulled out his phone and held it up, and Kazumi smiled with a peace sign just as Goromi had. Immediately he sent it to her phone too. “Can't forget when my li’l Kiryu-chan went from a boy to a grown up woman. I'm gettin’ all emotional here!”

Kazumi finished her food first, as Majima kept talking about the first time he'd ever eaten takoyaki. Apparently he'd loved it so much that when he got his second helping it was far too hot and instead of spitting it out he'd swallowed it. She laid her head on his shoulder, laughing at how he'd nabbed a drink from a child's hands while screaming about being on fire, his insides burnt. The image of Majima throwing a child's slushie down his throat, the kid crying, Majima crying, the mother yelling, and the takoyaki vendor trying to ignore him, it would be hard to shake.
“I'm more careful with what I eat now, but man, it was rough. No hot food for a month.”

“Why didn't you just spit it out?”

“Oh, yeah, that'd look great! ‘Mmm your food is delicious, I'm gonna spit it all over the place now!’”

Even as they walked back to the apartment, they both still joked about it, mostly at Majima's expense.
It was much easier to become Kiryu again, a shower washing off both the makeup and the dance sweat. He didn't know if he should keep the dress, as Majima had offered, so he simply set it aside, stretching as he walked back to his room in a towel.

“Feelin’ better, hot stuff?”

“Mhm. I had fun tonight.”

Majima looked up from where he was sprawled across both futons, smirking. “Doesn't have to end now, y'know…” He winked. At least Kiryu thought he winked.

“Hm. Yeah, maybe it doesn't.”

Chapter Text

Kiryu wrapped an arm around Majima, both of them out of breath. He reached for a cigarette, pulling out two, and lit them both. “The perfect end to the day.”

Majima snuggled close, careful not to burn him as he took a long drag. “Y’know, if I hadn't known, I wouldn't o’ thought that was yer first time. Nobody else got close enough to yer dingdong?”

“Ah, it never came up.” He suddenly groaned at himself as Majima giggled. “You know what I mean. I never found the time for it.”

“Well, y’did real good. Loved every second.” Majima cooed.

Kiryu was quiet while he finished his cigarette, the ashtray within reach, and then he glanced at Majima. “So…Level Three Kiryu-chan…”

Majima exhaled, then nodded, and began to tell the long and painful story of how he lost his eye, and how he lost his place in the Yakuza. Kiryu didn't ask for more detail than was offered, although he did wonder about the lack of irezumi. The mere thought of Majima suffering for a year over a single disobeyed order early in his career was heartbreaking enough. But his eye too? By the end of his tale Kiryu had pulled him to lay against his broad chest.

“I'm sorry.” He said finally.

“Ah, who gives a fuck? I ain't dead.”

“Good. Keep it that way.” Kiryu whispered, pressing his lips against his forehead. “Otherwise I'll have to kill you.”

Majima giggled quietly. “Yeah, I think yer the only one I'll let kill me.”

Kiryu paused for a moment. “...You said only you're allowed to kill me the other day. So…”

“Yeah, we'll just count to three, stab each other, stick out our tongues and die. Not now, maybe in fifty years or so.”

“Sure. It beats dying at the hands of someone I don't like.”

Even when Majima was asleep Kiryu still couldn't shake the awful images he'd conjured up for him. He looked down at him, his face slack and peaceful, and he traced his thumb along his left cheekbone. The wild mess of his life, the pain and the joy, all of it culminated in them both here. Safe in their moment of calm.

Kiryu supposed that the world wasn't all bad if he had his two favourite people right beside him in his bed.

oOo

It took almost a month for the move to be finalised. Kiryu had spent it in Okinawa, only having a single suitcase to take with him, as opposed to Majima's stupidly huge collection of shit. He'd been absolutely covered in children when he'd arrived, the hugs lasting so long he lost feeling in his leg, but he'd missed them all, and they'd missed him. Especially Haruka. The questions were constant, how was Sotenbori, how was the concert, what was Goromi like in real life, did he bring back any presents… He did, in fact, bring back a present for each of them.

It felt good to wear his old hawaiian shirt again after all that time away, feeling back to normal. It was almost as if he'd never left, resuming his duties. The shopping, the cleaning, taking care of arguments, it was a routine he loved to sink back into. He especially loved how Rikiya and Mikio welcomed him with an assurance that they'd been making sure everything was fine with the orphanage, helping wherever they could.

Majima:
im gttng presnts 4 ur kids as a ☮︎ offrng n so they like me

Kiryu:
They'll like you anyway.

Majima:
children like dust baths rite?

Kiryu stared at the text, then looked at Ayako and Eri playing hopscotch, wondering what Majima could possibly mean.

Kiryu:
No. You're thinking of chinchillas.

Majima:
ohhhhhh ok ill thnk of smth else

Kiryu rolled his eyes, but he kept smiling all the way to bed time, glad that Majima was going to put the effort in.

Kiryu:
I'll send you a list of them, with their ages and interests too, so you have a better idea of what to get.

The night was warm and comfortable. Kiryu laid on his futon and pondered his relationship while listening to the post-lights-out whispering. Talking at sleep time wasn't really allowed, but enjoyed listening to it regardless and didn't tell them that he could hear them through the thin walls. Zoning in and out of whatever words he could hear, his imagination kept running away from him. He smirked when he pictured a wedding in Goromi style, brushing it off as pure fantasy, but allowing himself to revel in the whimsy for just a while.

“If it makes Uncle Kaz happy, I don't think there's anything wrong with it.”

Kiryu broke out of his daydreams, listening intently to the hushed voices.

“I was always taught that men who dressed up as women were bad people.”

He couldn't tell who was speaking, but his heart sank, scowling at the ceiling.

“Uncle Kaz wouldn't let someone bad come visit, you know that.”

“What if he doesn't know he's a bad man?”

“He knows everything, don't be stupid.”

“He doesn't know I used his hair gel on Mame.”

Oh, so that's why there were ginger hairs in the pot.

“Look, if you're worried, talk to him about it.”

Kiryu couldn't hear the rest of the conversation, as those speaking turned away from the wall, and he sighed softly. He thought he had a handle on the situation, but it seemed like he had a long way to go.

The smell of cooking roused everyone one by one, Kiryu focused on making up for causing his kids to feel unsafe. A hearty breakfast was first on the list, something Haruka often called his ‘apology breakfast’, saved for when he'd fumbled a situation. She helped him bring out the plates without asking what was wrong, seeming to know already. He wasn't surprised; she was very astute.

“While we eat, I have something to say.” Kiryu began. He looked around at all his kids, knowing they would listen if he found a good way to phrase it. “...Ayako, you like chocolate ice cream, don't you? And Shiro, you like vanilla ice cream. Imagine when you're born you have to only like one ice cream flavour, and that's it. Only two flavours, chocolate or vanilla.”

“But I like strawberry!” Riona said.

Kiryu smiled. “Exactly. And if someone told you that you're not allowed, you'd be upset, wouldn't you? That you have to only have chocolate, no matter what? Just because when you were born, someone told you that you had to?” He saw most of his kids nodding. “Now, imagine that chocolate is being a girl, and vanilla is being a boy. People say you're only allowed to eat the one that someone else tells you to. And some people might like it, but some want to have a different flavour. It's perfectly okay, even if some people don't understand it, and are afraid of what they don't understand, it's fine to like different things. Whether it's ice cream, or wanting to be a different gender.”

“Are you going to be a lady now, Uncle Kaz?” Izumi asked, eyes wide.

He thought it was sweet that she assumed this was him coming out to them. “Well, when I was away, I wore a dress for a night. I did like it, but I think I prefer just being like this.” He said, trying to keep his smile under wraps. “What I'm trying to say is that it doesn't make somebody a bad person for being who they are inside. Goromi is just like that, she's sometimes a lady, and sometimes not. It's as harmless as ice cream flavours.”
From their faces, he couldn't tell which of them he had heard speaking the night before, but it didn't matter. He could tell they understood. “Also, I know you're all aware that men and men can like each other, just how women and women can. Well, Majima-san and I like each other. Very much.”

“Are you going to get married?!” Eri asked, half with shock, half joy.

Kiryu chuckled. “No, no, we're just enjoying being together for now. I just wanted to make sure you all knew for certain.” He paused for a moment, long enough for any questions, but when none came he picked up his chopsticks. “You can always come to me with anything that worries you. Anything.”

“We know.” Shiro nodded.

“You're cool like that!” Koji grinned.

Kiryu hoped that he'd explained himself well, and when the girls crowded round to ask about his time as Kazumi, he showed them the selfie. His ear rang for hours after their squeals of delight, though it did fluff his pride to hear that he was a pretty girl to them.

oOo

Nishida huffed and puffed as he heaved the last box over the threshold, setting it on top of the neat pile by the kitchen. The heat was getting to him, especially with how the boss didn't let him take off his hat for ‘Kiryu-chan’s face thingy’, despite the fact that he wouldn't be seeing him for a while. He opened up a bottle of water and took some deep gulps, then looked at the pile of boxes, knowing he'd have to put most of it away himself.

“Never had a pool before, this is fuckin’ awesome.” Majima said, sliding down the bannister. “The bed is like a marshmallow. And the shower is big enough for three! I love this house!”

Smiling, Nishida turned to begin unpacking. “I'm glad you're happy with it, boss.”

“It's even got a teeny tiny room way in the basement for Nishida storage.”

Majima had a crisis wondering if it would be bad to meet the kids as Goromi. Would they prefer her since she was famous? Or him because she was disgraced? Which would actually be good with kids? Could they even be bought with the gifts he'd be taking along? Were kids that fickle? What if they just didn't like either of them, or the gifts, and Kiryu had to break up with him, and then Majima would be stuck living in paradise being extremely horny over his new bodyguard without any of the benefits.
What if he scared them all with his general vibes?

He typed out a message to cancel three times, deleting it each time, but feeling as though he was about to vomit up a lung. He wished he'd listened when Kiryu told him how to talk to kids, instead of staring at his beautiful doe eyes.

“Oh my god, they're right on the beach…” Majima breathed, looking out at the white sands and crystal waters. The thought of Kiryu bringing everyone for a pool party seemed less likely with the sea right there. They probably didn't even like the water if it was there every day. He took a moment to stand and breathe the air, clear and fresh, not a single fume nor the smell of piss. He could see why Kiryu was so desperate to latch on to the first thing that made him happy if he was missing something like this.

He strolled toward the orphanage, pausing when he saw the dog to give him a pat.

“Who the hell are you?”

Majima looked up to see a man, a kid really, sitting on the porch. He definitely had Yakuza vibes, and he was glaring at him.
“I could ask ya the same.”

“Look, creep, if you think you're about to come here and leer at our kids--”

“What are ya tryin’ to say?! I ain't no--”

“Three seconds and I'm beating your ass!”

“Rikiya, calm down.” Kiryu said as he appeared in the doorway, wiping his hands on a towel. His outfit was so dad-ish that Majima almost giggled, feeling his pulse spike. “This is Majima.”

“O-Oh. I'm sorry, aniki, I just…” He gave a deep bow. “Please forgive me, Majima-san!”

“Nah, I get it. Random dude at an orphanage, tits out, eyepatch, leather… I'd have worn somethin’ else but…” He paused when he realised that his trademark outfit wasn't the only thing that made him recognisable to Kiryu, and he cleared his throat. “Ah, maybe I shoulda.”

Kiryu shook his head as he stepped out, taking Majima's hand. “I like your outfit. But I have some spare clothes if you want to change?”

Within a few minutes Majima was wearing a loose hawaiian shirt around his shoulders, unbuttoned like his jacket, and a pair of flame-print shorts from the bottom of the closet. The flip flops made him wonder who the hell kept an unworn pair tucked away, but he was grateful for them. He felt the warm breeze flow beneath his outfit, not realising how much he'd been sweating under all his leather. He felt a lot more comfortable, especially when he realised he could smell Kiryu's laundry soap on the shirt, taking a good few whiffs of the collar with a happy sigh.
“So, where are them kiddies? Or were ya lyin’ ‘bout havin’ any to get this place? I mean, look at it! Paradise.”

Kiryu shook his head. “They're at school. I wanted to give you a little tour before they came back.” He led him on a walk through of the house, and Majima realised that it was a very pokey place. Not nearly enough space for so many kids. He peered around, imagining his lover in every room, picturing the perfect domesticity. When Kiryu finally showed him his own room, Majima almost hurt his face with his grinning.

Every surface had at least one piece of Goromi merchandise. The room was plastered with pink from top to bottom. Kiryu shuffled awkwardly, looking away. “They, ah… Her merch is dirt cheap now. I even found a bin full of stuff just thrown away. I rescued it though. We all have a set of Goromi pyjamas now. Even Rikiya and Mikio.”

Majima stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Kiryu, kissing him with as much sweetness as a sugar cube. When he pulled away, he gave his ass a squeeze with a giggle. “Yer too cute. Seriously, adorable.”

Kiryu pushed him off with a grumble, but he was still blushing.

Haruka was the first to come back. Majima and Kiryu were sat on the porch together, waiting for her. She smiled when she saw him and made her way over.
“Majima-san, I assume?” She bowed deeply. “I'm Haruka. Pleased to meet you.”

“Ah, don't gimme that, Haruka-chan! I ain't the type to need politeness.” He waved a hand dismissively. “Y’know, yer Uncle Kaz ain't stopped talkin’ about ya for a second. He obviously loves ya lots.”

“I should hope he loves us all.” Haruka giggled. “He talks about you a lot too. And Goromi.”

Kiryu rubbed his cheeks angrily, looking away. It was true, but they didn't need to say it. He was only vaguely aware of Haruka saying she was going to get changed out of her school uniform, looking at Majima's smile. It was tight. He was nervous.

The girls came home together, laughing and joking as they rounded the corner, but they went quiet when they saw the stranger. Kiryu introduced them one by one, each girl giving Majima a bow, each told they didn't have to be formal.

It seemed that the boys took to him easier, and Kiryu chalked it up to him seeming cool to them. Taichi especially was in awe of him, his eyepatch and way of speaking winning him over immediately. Kiryu thought that if he had stayed in his leathers the boy would be jumping up and down, proclaiming how cool he was.

After introductions, Kiryu called everyone to get their things, confusing Majima. It was like a military operation, each child picking up items and carrying them down to the beach, busy with their own tasks. It was amazing to watch.

“Uh, Majima-san?” Rikiya said from behind him. “Could you help me carry the picnic table?”

“Eh? Oh, sure, I guess.” He took one end of it, the pair easily carrying it between them. Man, the kid must have been strong. “What's even goin’ on?”

“Beach picnic, I think. Aniki wanted something nice as a welcome thing, y'know.” When they set the table down, Rikiya tugged at the collar of his shirt, puffing out a breath.

“If yer hot, unbutton yer shirt a bit. Works wonders for me, titties on show ‘n’ all.”

Rikiya suddenly grimaced, shaking his head. “N-Nah, I can't.”

Majima tilted his head. “Why? Y’got some gnarly stab wounds under there? Ooh, tattoo of a naked lady? Scary belly button?”

“I, ah… I had surgery not too long ago and I'm not supposed to expose the scars to sunlight for another year or so.” He said as they started up the beach again to get some more supplies.

“Huh. What kinda surgery? Bionic abs? Or am I bein’ a dick and it was somethin’ like a growth?”

He laughed softly. “I guess it was… Two growths.” He shook his head as he gestured to his chest.

Majima made a noise of realisation. “Don't suppose ya kept ‘em? The paddin’ I use when I'm feelin’ girly is itchy as hell.”

Rikiya snorted. “I feel you, my binder was uncomfortable too. If I had kept them, you'd be welcome to them. I'll tell you a secret though, since we're in the same sort of boat…” He looked over his shoulder to make sure nobody was around, then cupped a hand to his mouth to whisper. “I had them swap my nipples over. Left is right, right is left.”

Majima howled with laughter, giving him a clap on the back. “That's awesome! Oh, man… I'll take that to my grave, Rikiya-chan.”

It wasn't long before Kiryu had the barbecue set up, proudly wearing his ‘World’s Greatest Uncle’ apron. Majima put his bag on the table, looking at the kids playing tag, and waved them over.
“Alrighty, I didn't know what kids actually like, but I got ya some gifts that I hope are okay.”

“I'm sure they'll be great, Majima-san!” Haruka smiled as she sat down.

He pulled out wrapped boxes with tags on each, looking at the names and giving them out. Kiryu kept an eye on them as he cooked, twenty percent sure that one of them would open theirs to find a knife or something.

Haruka opened hers and gasped at the bluetooth karaoke set, the kind that had a range of a foot, but she was instantly enamoured, bouncing in her seat.
Izumi’s was a glow in the dark ball and collar for playing with Mame at dusk, and she called him over immediately to show him.
Shiro got a small telescope, one that might have only been powerful enough to look at the moon, but he was overjoyed.
Eri fawned over the little lavender-scented cat that Majima informed her she could heat up if she was cold.
Riona tore into her glittery makeup set immediately, testing them on her hand.
Mitsuo put his new shirt on with glee, proudly showing the cool emblems that Kiryu assumed were fashionable.
Koji’s was a signed baseball, and he gasped, asking where Majima got it. Kiryu was sure it was from his own stash of treasures.
Ayako held the new clothes up to herself, marvelling at how they were both pretty and functional for her love of athletics.
Taichi yelled with excitement at the child's wrestler costume, complete with a victory belt with his name on it.

Majima then turned to Kiryu and slipped a small present into his apron pocket with an exaggerated blink, that he knew by that point was meant as a wink.

“This is amazing, Majima-san!”

“I love this so much!”

“Mame is going to be so happy!”

“Thank you, Uncle Goro!”

Everyone paused. Majima froze in place. The kids looked at him, waiting for his reaction, as if they had overstepped. He broke into a huge grin and laughed, hearing their collective sighs of relief. “Uncle Goro? That has a real ring to it.”

The tension surrounding them had melted away, and Majima settled down at the table when Kiryu began to put the food in the middle. He helped the younger kids reach theirs, making sure they all had food before he did. Kiryu asked Rikiya to man the grill so he could sit too, which he gladly did.

“Well done.” Kiryu said with a small smile, nudging Majima.

“Ah, Nishida helped. I was gonna just get most of ‘em a knife.”

As they ate, the kids all had questions for Majima, and he answered them happily. Some were about Goromi, and he tried to put it in a way they'd understand. They seemed to grasp it perfectly, which made him think that Kiryu had already told them all about it.

The afternoon went on pleasantly. Kiryu and Rikiya cleaned up while Majima played a game he taught them. It was called Dragon’s Tail, where they had to hold hands in a line, and the front person had to catch the back person, everyone else having to stop them from being caught. It ended up with a lot of laughing and screaming, especially as Majima was the dragon’s ‘head’ and his serpentine movements to get away from Taichi at the back led them all over the beach. After he was caught they all moved up one, so Taichi was the head, and Koji was the tail.

Kiryu allowed himself a beer as he sat on the picnic table with Rikiya, watching the display. “How does he have as much energy as the rest of them?” He wondered as he saw the line tangle around Majima, tripping him up. A spike of adrenaline shot through Kiryu when he realised he was about to fall on Izumi who had also toppled, but Majima landed in a perfect crab above her, making her giggle.

“Goromi is a dancer, yeah?” Rikiya said as he picked at some leftovers. “Singing and dancing at the same time takes a lot of stamina.”

Haruka trotted over to Kiryu with the biggest smile he'd seen on her for a while. “Uncle Kaz? Uncle Goro said that he has a pool at his house, and that we could go if we wanted. Do you think he'd enjoy a housewarming party at the same time? Then we could bring him gifts since he was so nice to bring us things!”

Kiryu nodded. “Good idea. But housewarming parties are usually organised by the person who owns the house.”

“I know, but if he doesn't think of it, won't it be lonely?”

He smiled and gave her a pat on the head. “I'll bring it up to him.”

By the time the sky was golden, most of the kids were exhausted, Majima having played so many games that they were either sat on the sand or already splayed out about to fall asleep. It took all three adults a while to round them up for bed, and Rikiya left with a cheery goodbye when they were done.

“There.” Kiryu said as he closed the door to his room, looking at Majima on his futon. “Everyone is fast asleep. I should be paying you.”

“Takin’ care of kids is easy! Ya give ‘em a toy, chase ‘em about, and they're out!” Majima said in a stage whisper, wanting to be both loud and quiet. “I do have sand in my ass now though.”

Kiryu smiled, laying down beside Majima and wrapping an arm around him. “Thank you for my gift, by the way.” He opened his hand to show a keyring of an engraved Ai-Ai Gasa, both of their names sheltering under the umbrella. “Our names do look good together.”

“Fuck yeah they do.” Majima muttered as he cuddled close to his chest, eyelid drooping.

“I'm so glad today went well.” Kiryu said as he set the keyring aside. “I thought ‘Uncle Goro’ would be a long time coming, but it happened so fast.”

“I'm just that awesome, Kiryu-chan.” Majima said through a yawn. “Yer a good dad. They're lucky to have ya.” He mumbled sleepily.

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Kiryu was about to speak to him about the party, but he heard a soft snore, blinking down at Majima. “Wow. Impressive.” He whispered, wishing he could switch off like that. He didn't mind waiting to sleep though. It just meant he had more time to enjoy being curled up beside the one person he wouldn't trade for the world.

Chapter Text

Dear Morning Glory Rockstars,
You are cordially invited to Goromi’s Cool Pool party. Events will include swimming, karaoke, and a game of-

“Boss, I don't think I can help around the party if you include that.”

“I don't give a shit, just write what I tell you to!”

a game of Push Nishida Into The Pool. Floaties and food provided!
Bring your swimming gear and your jammies!

The invitation was so pink that it hurt Kiryu’s eyes. He read it out to the kids, who cheered and began talking excitedly about the party.

All except for Riona, and Kiryu knew why. He set the invitation down on the table, then walked to the kitchen, pretending to be busy as believably as he could. “Oh, Riona, can you come help me for a second?”
When the girl peered around the door, Kiryu beckoned her, then took a knee in front of her. “Are you okay?”

Riona frowned, tugging her sleeves over her hands, and Kiryu waited for her patiently. “...I don't want to go. I can never find a swimming costume that…” She looked at her clothed arms with a cringe.

“I understand.” Kiryu assured her. “But you need to know a few things. First, you don't have to go if you don't want to, and if you do, you don't have to swim. Second, you're beautiful, and when you're ready to show your burns, we'll be behind you all the way. And third, I'll go to every shop I can to find you something to wear with long sleeves.”

She wiped at her eyes with a quiet sniffle. “Thank you, Uncle Kaz.”

“Any time.” He whispered, patting her head gently. He knew it wasn't fair on her, but what kind of father figure would he be if he didn't go above and beyond?

The kids were buzzing with excitement as they all walked toward Goromi’s house. Rikiya tagged along too, insisting that he had to, considering he had lifeguard training - a fact about him that didn't surprise Kiryu but was strangely endearing. Each had a bag with them containing everything they needed, and they wondered between them what the party would be like.

“I hope he has balloons. I love balloons.”

“Remember, she's a she when she's Goromi!”

“I bet she'll have pin the tail on the donkey, but the donkey is Nishida-san.”

“Do you think the floaties will be animal shaped? Or just those dumb foam ones?”

Kiryu couldn't help but smile. Were this a gathering in Sotenbori, there would be no doubt that the party would have booze and drugs, possibly strippers. But he knew that she was determined to make those kids like her no matter what. It was sweet, that she was so worried about gaining approval, that she was desperate to carve a place for herself in their life. Kiryu and his kids came as a package, and she was ready to rip off the tape and nestle amongst the packing peanuts.

The house was even bigger than he'd imagined, nothing ‘humble’ about it. It made him wonder what her Sotenbori home was like. It gave him a mental image of a mile-wide Barbie dream house.

“Welcome one and welcome all!” Goromi announced once she opened the door. Kiryu felt faint. Her swimming costume was a soft lilac one piece with legs that covered a bit of her upper thigh, a little built-in skirt around her hips. The top wasn't so modest, showing off her sinewy shoulders and muscular arms. She wore a baby blue sarong around her waist, a little offset by the skirt, just translucent enough for him to see her legs. She pulled her sunglasses down her nose to smile at him over them, her face cast in dappled sun as the light filtered through the straw of her wide hat.

“Come on in! Make yourselves at home.” She said as she ushered the group inside, and when Kiryu passed her she gave his ass a tweak, causing him to grunt and scowl with a bright red blush painting his cheeks.

“You look beautiful.” Kiryu said softly, and she preened delightedly, giving a single twirl. He looked around, the home very western in its setup, positively gargantuan. It was odd to think of her living alone in such a huge place. In an ideal world, he'd just move everyone here, but the paperwork didn't bear thinking about.

“We brought you presents!” Haruka chimed before anyone else could speak. The kids started rummaging in their luggage. “We weren't sure what to get you, nothing super pretty was cheap enough for our pocket money, so we all did some drawings for you!”

“Ooh! Something to put on my fridge at last!” Goromi tittered, getting on one knee to be on their level. They each handed her some paper, and she looked through the stack. Half of them were drawings of their beach picnic, colourful renditions of their games, with rainbows and glitter. The other half were new outfit designs for Goromi, showing her smiling, with at least three pink markers’ worth of ink on them. She was quiet as she looked through, her grin never faltering.
“You're all so talented! I love these, thank you! I like this one, what am I doing here?”

“Fighting a dragon!” Taichi said, puffing out his chest.

Goromi laughed. “Amazing! If I knew a dragon, I'd be fighting him every chance I got!” She called Nishida over, who said a quick hello before she tasked him with putting the drawings on the fridge. Then she stood, clapping once.
“Right! Everyone listen up! Rules of the house!” When she had all eyes on her, she let them hang for a moment, awaiting her instructions. “No rules! You want to go have a pillow fight, you do it! You want a snack, you get it! You want to dump all my cosmetics in the toilet…actually, I'd rather you didn't do that.” This caused a few giggles, and she beamed. “Go explore, there's beds upstairs, get comfy, then come down when you're ready and we can get this party started! Rikiya, I’ve set you up in the little spare bedroom at the end of the hall, make yourself at home sweetie.”

“Don't forget sunscreen!” Kiryu called after them.

When they were alone, Goromi sidled up to Kiryu, raking her baby pink acrylics down his chest. “I missed you, big boy.”

“I only saw you the other day.” Kiryu pointed out, trying not to show how much the pressure of her nails affected him.

“No, you saw him the other day. I’ve been waiting for longer than that for you. A girl needs her dirty squeeze thing.” She cupped his ass with both hands and pulled his hips flush with hers, her tongue in his mouth tasting of bubblegum. He let free an involuntary moan, his skin burning up, and she giggled into him.

“Boss, I’ve just taken the-- Oh! Oh, I’m sorry!” Nishida squeaked from behind them.

Goromi whirled on him, baring her teeth. “Ya mamma never taught ya not to creep up on people?!” She snarled, her voice dropping and lilting with her Kansai-ben.

Kiryu grabbed her chin before he could stop himself, turning her head to face him. “It’s okay. We should probably save the couple stuff until there’s no chance of anyone walking in.”

She nodded. “Yeah, I suppose. Gonna be hard once you get your speedo on though.”

“Trunks.” Kiryu corrected, and she whined loudly, stomping her sandals like a toddler. It made him wonder if the whole pool party thing was an elaborate ruse just to see him barely covered and wet.

He’d be right.

Kiryu’s trunks were a simple black, so much different from Goromi’s mix of soft colours. As he padded outside, he saw the pool. The first thing that stood out to him was that she’d had the tiles re-fitted to be pink, making the water look like strawberry lemonade. The second was that the surface looked like someone had blown up a zoo, with crocodiles, whales, giraffes, flamingoes, each one bobbing along with cartoonish eyes and big smiles.There were sun loungers around the edge, one for each of them. A table sat by the sliding door, outfitted with plenty of food and drink, enough for twice the people. A stereo was pumping out some hits, making the place seem like a movie about a mean American highschool girl. Rikiya was already outside, sat on the lifeguard chair with Goromi leaning on it, chatting with him.

“I never really liked lifeguard training, since I had to wear the tight costume and everythin’. Still completed it, but it was shitty.”

“I think it's great. You get to spend your time sat up there, watching hot people wearing almost nothing…” She purred, and Kiryu wasn't even angry that she was flirting, knowing it was just a Goromi thing.

Rikiya laughed nervously. “You haven't been here long. Most people in pools are fat dudes and old ladies.”

“And hot slabs of man beef.” She said as she pointed to Kiryu. “Lookin’ sexy there, Kiryu-chan!”

“Put your tongue away, the kids will be down soon.” Kiryu said as he sat on one of the sun loungers, looking around at the pretty garden lower down. “This place is huge.”

“It was pretty cheap.” Goromi said as she sat on the sun lounger beside his. “Someone got shot and he drowned in the pool, and they didn't find him until he was soup.” She said casually, pulling down her sunglasses.

Kiryu couldn't tell if she was joking or not, so he brushed it off, assuming it was.

She grinned from ear to ear when the kids emerged, immediately squealing with joy at the sight of the pool. Most that could swim leapt into the deep end, Taichi doing a cannonball that splashed Mitsuo so hard he retorted with his own big splash. Shiro, Eri, and Izumi all eased themselves into the shallow end, and Kiryu moved to help them onto the floaties.

Haruka busied herself with getting some food, sitting on the lounger that Kiryu had vacated, eating a little cold chicken as she watched him push all three inflatables along.

“You not gettin’ in the water, sweetheart?” Goromi asked, her eye also locked on Kiryu as he twirled Eri round, making her squeal with laughter.

“I was actually hoping to talk to you.” Haruka said, looking at how Goromi was splayed out like a basking cat. “What are your intentions with Uncle Kaz?”

Goromi choked, sitting up, pulling off her sunglasses. “I beg your pardon?! Where did you get that from?!”

Haruka shrugged. “A movie. But the question still stands.”

“Why are you asking me?”

“I just wanted to know. He might not look it, but he's sensitive. I don't want him getting hurt.” She said simply, biting into a dumpling.

Goromi exhaled and looked back at where Kiryu was lifting Koji and throwing him into the deep end of the pool. “Honestly, I don't have any intentions. I just wanna see where it goes, you know? Make him happy, all that soppy shit.”

Haruka looked at her with narrowed eyes. “I just want you to know that if you hurt him, I'll destroy you.”

Her grin widened, and she went back to lounging. “Atta girl. If I do hurt him, I'd want you to grab a baseball bat and go to town on me. And I'd deserve it!” She paused when Kiryu swam under Ayako and lifted her onto his shoulders, her laugh piercing through the music. “Wait, hang on. One, two, three… We're down one.”

Looking around, Haruka hummed. “Oh, yeah… Where's Riona?”

“I'll go look for her. You enjoy yourself, sweet pea.” Goromi said, patting her head as she went inside. The house was oddly still compared to the party, and she looked around each room before seeing the top of a head over the back of the sofa. She made sure her sandals made a noise as she approached, sitting demurely beside the girl. “You okay, honey?”

Riona nodded, hugging her knees, not making eye contact.

“You sure?” She asked, grabbing a tissue from a box on the table and offering it to the girl.

She eyed it as if taking it would be an admission of not being alright, but relented after a moment, balling it up and dabbing her eyes with it.

Goromi exhaled and folded her hands in her lap. “You don't want to join the party?”

Riona shook her head. “My swimming things don't fit. I didn't want to tell Uncle Kaz because they were expensive.”

“Ah. Well, that's okay, I have plenty of things you could--”

“It's not that simple.” Riona sniffled, looking away. “You're lucky, you can cover your scar with an eye patch.”

Goromi felt her heart hurt, and she sighed, standing up. She offered Riona a hand, which she looked at sadly. “Come on, Aunt Goromi will fix you up. My wardrobe is so big it crosses an international timezone.” She knew from Majima’s gift giving that this girl loved clothes. And she had plenty.
Hesitant, she held Goromi’s hand, letting herself be led upstairs. “Now, is it too big, too small…?”

“Both.” Riona said with a sigh. “The body is too big, but the sleeves only come to my mid forearm.”

“Well, I'm sure I can deal with that.”

Kiryu had noticed the absences within a few minutes of Goromi leaving, but Haruka assured him that it was okay. Still, his worry caused him to get out of the pool and linger by the door, frowning deeply as he fought the urge to run inside and help. He cursed himself for not noticing that he was one child short, too caught up in making sure his kids were having fun to realise. Thankfully they were having plenty of fun without him, as Nishida had brought along some beach balls (and promptly been pushed into the pool by Taichi).

The door slid open, and Riona walked out with a smile on her face. She was wearing a bright pink wetsuit that had a skirt attached, looking ready to take on the pool. “Thank you, Aunt Goromi!” she chirped as she trotted over to play catch with everyone else.

“Don't mention it, kiddo!” She looked at Kiryu with a smile. “Had that left over from my scuba phase. Luckily I could probably turn a circus tent into a size two ballgown on that sewing machine.”

Kiryu hummed. “That's impressive.”

“Hey, they don't make many clothes that fit my sexy bod. Gotta fix them myself.”

Kiryu allowed himself to have a beer, sipping it as he lazed around, mostly at Goromi’s insistence. It felt simultaneously wrong and right. On the one hand, his tired muscles thanked him, the sun feeling wonderful, his body melting into his seat like ice cream in summer. On the other, his brain was in overdrive, shouting at him about all the things he had to do, feeling like a constant jab of an accusing finger. But then he felt softer fingers entwine with his, and Goromi squeezed. A simple show of affection that all but silenced the whirr of guilt.

“I hope you'll sing.” Goromi said suddenly, her eye on three of the kids who were shoving food into their mouths as quick as possible so they could get back to the pool.

Kiryu raised a brow, the affectionate hum muddling her words in his brain. “Sing?”

“When we go inside. I've got a full karaoke stage set up for later. Lights, speakers, the whole nine yards.” She said, and Kiryu wasn't in the least surprised. “Then it's jammies and a movie. Popcorn too.”

After a moment, Kiryu cleared his throat. “They do like you, you know.”

She looked at him with a small frown. “This ain't about that. I just…” She averted her eye, looking up at the cloudless sky. “...Good memories are important.”

Those four words spoke volumes about her. About her past. It gave Kiryu a window to see her, past the masks she put up, past the joking and cackles. Someone who needed good in their life. And Kiryu knew he had to be that good thing. “I'll sing as many songs as you want me to.”

Nishida had been pushed into the pool five times by the time a cool chill from the sea began to blow in, and Kiryu called everyone inside. He, Nishida, and Rikiya cleaned up outside as Goromi showed the kids where the bathrooms were so they could shower off and get comfy.

Kiryu was delighted to find her in the middle of styling all the girls’ hair when he finally came back inside, her fingers making short work of braids and straighteners. She was in baby pink fleece pyjamas, her wig in pigtails, hair ties in her mouth as she finished Haruka’s French braids.

“Where are the boys?” Kiryu asked as he settled on the sofa beside Goromi.

Eri climbed onto his lap with her new updo, settling down. “We all showered first, they're still getting ready.”

“Aunt Goromi was going to paint our nails!” Izumi grinned, gesturing to the large box of every shade under the sun. “And she said we could do yours.”

Kiryu frowned, looking at Goromi who sported the biggest shit eating grin. “...Did she, now?”

“I thought they could do two fingers each so it's fair. Then if the boys want a go, we can give them two each of your toes.”

Kiryu quirked a brow. “That's eight.”

“I have some sharp scissors.” Goromi ribbed, making a snip motion at the tip of his nose. He growled and swatted her away, the girls all giggling.

Thus, when Mitsuo was the first to arrive in his pyjamas, he saw Kiryu with both hands out on the table, each of his nails a different colour, setting them under the UV lamp. Thankfully they had the good grace to make his fingers match on either hand, but it still looked like a paint truck crash. Goromi was so good at painting nails that she finished each of the girls' hands in under ten seconds, giving them perfect coats every time, whereas Kiryu’s were a mix of rough and smooth.

“I don't want a go.” Mitsuo said before he was asked, flopping down on the big chair away from the girly sleepover vibes.

“You don't have to, sweetie.” Goromi soothed. “You will join in with karaoke, I hope?”

“Yeah we will!” Taichi crowed as he jumped over the back of the other sofa and landed with a thump.

Kiryu wished he hadn't requested to sing last. He clapped and cheered for each kid that sang, even doing interjections for Rikiya’s rock ballad, and Haruka’s performance made him think of when he'd first come to care for her, taking her to a bar because he didn't know what else to do with her. But Goromi would be on before him. She'd blow everyone away with her singing, and he'd be left grunting out a song, seeming like a gorilla beside a goddess.

When she got up on the makeshift stage that Nishida had constructed, she flicked a few switches to connect up her headset, slipping it over her head. “Since I'm not going to be doing this live again, I thought I'd give you all a taste of a real concert! Just pretend you had to pay a million squillion yen to see me.” She beamed at the laughs, then looked at Nishida who was standing on a chair, nodding at him. He nodded back.

As soon as the music started, Nishida turned on a big light that he held, like a spotlight on her, and she began to dance with perfect rhythm, seeming as if she was weightless. Kiryu watched as if he were a vulture, devouring every step and turn. He barely noticed that Haruka had grabbed his hands and was dancing with him as he sat stupefied. He was sure his mouth was agape, but his face was too numb to tell.
His own private Goromi concert. He was sitting in her living room. She had moved there for him. Goromi.

She broke the spell by kissing him, and he jolted as if shocked, closing his eyes to truly absorb it. When she pulled away, he scrambled for words, unable to find any, flapping for a moment before grunting out a ‘thank you’.

“That's what you say when someone kisses you? Eh, alright then. Weirdo.” She teased, and the laughs that followed made Kiryu think it was a mistake giving her jabs an audience.

His palms were sweaty when he took to the stage, and of course Goromi hadn't left a trusty spotlight-weilding Nishida for him. It was just him and the microphone. He swallowed thickly and cleared his throat, looking through the songs with apprehension. There were lots he didn't know, and the ones he did know were hers, and he couldn't do them justice. Eventually he settled on MachineGun Kiss, knowing the lyrics by heart. When the intro started, he looked at her, seeing her clear smirk, knowing she was enjoying seeing him embarrassed.
Before he could even consider it, he was replacing the English ‘baby’ with ‘Goromi’, saying it weirdly so it half-rhymed, but it seemed to be almost automatic. Her smirk was gone. Replaced with a look of pure adoration. It was just the two of them again, despite the claps and cheers of the children. A man and a woman, the crowd faded to soft pink in the background.

When he finished with a pose, she cackled with glee, clapping and hopping to her feet, rushing over to grasp his hands. “I'm having you as my opening act! The voice of an angel!”

“It doesn't even compare to you…” He said as he squeezed her hands tightly.

Goromi had a projector. It made watching the movie so much better than the tiny TV at the orphanage, and Nishida kept a steady supply of popcorn and drinks and snacks coming. The kids all sat on pillows on the floor, whereas Kiryu and Goromi were on the sofa, cuddled up close. He wasn't really interested in the movie, some animated thing that was badly dubbed. He focused on her, on how she snaked around him as if boneless. She opened her mouth, and he popped another piece of popcorn inside, giving her jaw a languid stroke before settling his hand back on her thigh.

“You know, this part had to be re-voiced in the original because the voice actor swore under his breath and it wasn't caught until it was almost the release date.” Goromi said, but Kiryu barely registered it. He was just happy to be there, with her, and his kids.

“I've enjoyed today.”

She looked at him then smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. “Me too. Can't wait to get all snuggly after this.”

Of course, after the movie finished, Kiryu had the job of carrying a few of the kids to bed. Goromi helped, the pair of them making fewer trips as they tucked them up in bed. By the time everyone was asleep, Kiryu was exhausted, his relaxing day making his brain swim with fatigue that he didn't know was chasing him until he slowed down enough for it to catch him.

“You can use the bathroom first, stud. I've gotta get this wig off.” Goromi said as she crept to the bedroom.

The day had gone better than she'd planned. Everything had been perfect, even the little bumps in the road. She gave her scalp a good scratch once the wig was off, switching out her patch for her soft sleep one. By the time she had nearly finished wiping off her makeup, Kiryu appeared behind her, leaning down to kiss her neck.
“It's sort of a shame we're not alone.” Kiryu whispered, his breath making her skin rise in goosebumps.

“Soon. Then I'll suck you off like an industrial vacuum.”

The bed was just as huge as the house, so soft and comfortable that Kiryu almost fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. But she wormed around to get comfy beside him, wrapping her spindly limbs around his body.

“Holy shit… I'm in bed with Goromi.”

“Sometimes I forget you were obsessed with me.” She whispered nuzzling into his neck.

“Heh. ‘Were’?” He shifted to press his lips to her forehead, bringing a hand up to stroke her hair. “I can't wait to start my bodyguard job.”

She snorted. “You do realise it's not a real job, right? I'm basically gonna be paying you a steady wage to go on dates with me.”

Kiryu blinked. He hadn't realised that, but he knew that she could defend herself easily, so it seemed like he should have thought that all along.
“Y-Yeah, yeah, I know.”

Goromi shook her head and cuddled closer, exhaling and closing her eye. “Dumbass.”