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Rin was getting used to the Isagi's. He was getting used to the warmth of their embrace every time he would step inside their house ; to his favorite tea waiting for him after dinner ; to the daily messages about the weather ; to the way their eyes would light up upon seeing him. He was getting used to love and if it was a strange feeling. Being cared for never had been in Rin's habits — not in such a gentle way.
The first time he met them had been after a match. They had won easily, nothing too brag about, not even a sweat — the duo he made with Isagi had simply been too powerful for the lower rival team. Rin hadn't even been satisfied by his performance, an hungry desire to be perfect settling in his stomach uncomfortably. And then— he saw them. Welcoming Isagi in their arms and boasting about how wonderful their son had been. Rin looked at the scene from afar until his boyfriend, this traitor, called him over and presented him to them. So you're this famous Rin Yoichi can't shut up about! had said Issei. Iyo elbowed him with a chuckle and said, Come eat with us whenever you want, Rin. Take your time.
He didn't. As if it had been a challenge, he decided he didn't need to prepare himself for three days. He didn't need time. He needed to prove them Isagi was between good hands. Not loving or caring, or gentle one, just good because they all knew Rin was nothing like this. He was blunt and cold, made of steeled fragment of heart, broken and sprawled inside his ribs, sharp and cutting against the flesh. Love was foreign to him, but he did put his heart into Isagi's hands, waiting of him to devour it or squish it or throw it away— But Isagi was Isagi and he decided to give water and sun, as if his heart was a stupid flower that needed care more than being walked all over. This too, Rin was beginning to accept it.
But— the first dinner hadn't been a disaster. It had been… Rin didn't even know how to describe it. Isagi did warn him They'll tease you, but it's nothing mean. Unless you can't handle it? and Rin scowled at him, retorting something rude that Isagi laughed off. Rin obviously didn't take it seriously enough, because he ended up glowering at Isagi's parents the moment they said hello and they picked up on it to gently tease him.
Strangely— it comforted Rin. He did stumble and say weird things like If we were being chased by a serial killer, I'd protect your son, or I don't mind the cold. I spent more time digging my own grave in the snow than I stayed under the sun. Isagi's parents did look at him, a bit startled and lost. But when they said goodbye, Issei took the most serious face and said If a serial killer appear, I will protect my son first, laughed and then said; Well, you are my son too, now. Guess I'll have to protect you too! Rin didn't understand how someone could be so easy going, but he went with it and the first dinner became a second one and a third one, slowly adjusting to weekly dinners which Rin was almost, almost looking forward to.
So, after twenty months of dating, Rin was getting used to it. He wouldn't say it openly, but he liked them. Isagi would sometimes look fondly at the picture of Rin sitting next to his parents, talking about the last football news or a new footing path around the house. Rin would often catch Isagi's glance and Isagi would answer with a taunt — Issei would join and Iyo would stand up with an amused roll of eyes.
And of course—
"When will I meet your family?," asked Isagi. "They were in the middle of the pads aisles, glaring white fluorescents so bright Rin needed his sunglasses to fight off the headache. The pack of tampons he was holding crunched under his fingers.
"Never," he retorted, abandoning the aisle to find rice. Isagi followed without a word — at least until they went back to his apartment.
They didn't live together — Rin loved his alone time and having his own space. Still, he would be around Isagi's apartment more often than not, he knew how to store the groceries correctly. His boyfriend was still by the kitchen's door, staring at Rin. He looked back and said, voice low; "What?"
"I want to meet them," Isagi insisted. Rin naively thought the message was clear — but Isagi was still Isagi and he always got what he wanted. And Rin was still Rin and he would always be a tad weak for his boyfriend.
That was the reason he find himself a few weeks later in a wine shop, trying to find something Sae could like. He knew nothing of wine and Isagi wasn't really better — he presented him champagne thinking it was some sort of bubbly wine. Someone tried to help them but Rin got lost after the What will you eat? because why would he care? What would it change? (He learned, against his will, that it would change everything.)
Wine was overly complicated. He decided to take a bottle of red one, probably too expensive for what it was and called it a day. Isagi frowned at him but didn't say anything and Rin lost all his patience three weeks ago when Sae answered his message about having dinner all together. Because of course his lukewarm, useless husband will be there. As if Rin didn't see him enough in Calvin Klein ads. Or at the TV. Or in matches. No— of course not. Bunny Iglesias also had to be there at family dinners.
"Ah! Gracias, Rin. I prefer white wine, though. Keep it in mind next time!," and Rin almost threw the bottle to his face. Sae looked at him from where he stood and he knew it meant Be kind. Rin had no desire to be kind.
Bunny grinned and Rin thew his jacket at him instead, ignoring Bunny's chuckle.
"Isagi Yoichi! Can't believe you made it my friend!"
"Why… wouldn't I make it?"
But Bunny didn't answer. Instead he took Isagi's shoulders to guide him through the house, leaving Rin alone with Sae in the corridor. Awkward, thought Rin, undoing his shoes before coming in.
"Hope you didn't make something disgusting," he said, entering the kitchen to take something to drink. It had been months since he came here but it never stopped him from acting like it was his house too. (It wasn't. Sae let him still.)
"Bunny cooked."
Rin scowled. "Of course he did," he mumbled under his breath, at nothing to throw a punch. Or the glass he was holding. He frankly didn't know.
If Sae was a disaster with food, Bunny was surprisingly good. Every time it would surprise everyone around them and Bunny would laugh it off saying cheesy things like I learned for mi amor and Rin would want to rip his head off a bit more. Annoying, shitty bunny. (He really needed to find something else to insult him with.)
Before Rin could say anything about how it was stupid of Bunny to only say one word per sentence in Spanish, he saw Isagi in the doorframe.
"A duck," he said. Rin narrowed his eyes to him.
"What are you on about?"
"You used to have a duck costume."
Rin blinked at Isagi who answered with a curl of his mouth, much more like a smile than anything guilty. Bunny appeared behind him, showing another picture.
"Look! Rin was so cute in this one!"
"I'll kill you. I swear—"
Before Rin could move — grip Bunny's collar and finally punch his grin out of his face, Isagi bent in two and laughed. And if Rin learned something in the years of knowing Isagi, it was his own weakness to his laugh. It's bright but not loud, wearing the joy of life as a perfect suit. It made his shoulders tremble and his hair a curtain hiding the blush of his cheeks. Rin didn't dare breathe for a second.
"I'm sorry— it is just so perfect. I also was a duck! I wanted to be a lobster but I stained it the day before I could wear it!"
Bunny laughed too. Rin didn't hesitate to throw at him one of the spoon he was holding (Bunny avoided it too easily.)
"Let's go eat," interrupted Sae. He glared at his husband who held his hand over his head with the same infuriating grin — he also glared to Rin, but Rin ignored it and pushed Isagi to sit at the table before he could see more of those horrible pictures. He made a mental note to burn those binders.
Sitting at the table had been something almost odd — Bunny was taking his time in the kitchen but Sae was already there and Rin couldn't stop wondering when was the last time they ate together.
Their relationship was better that what it was not so long ago ; therapy and long talks helped. He couldn't ignore that Isagi was a part of why he was talking to his brother now (and couldn't hide the fact Bunny also helped them but he'd be caught dead before saying this.) But— it was the first time they had something looking like a family dinner. They would eat snacks together. Sometimes catch a popscicle. Most of the time, it was tea or coffee and they would call it a day. Not that it happened a lot anyway— maybe once a month, when they were catching up on each other. Making sure they were alive. (Lifting the heavy veil murmuring Will he abandon you again?)
"Don't tell me you made fideuà."
Rin looked up at Isagi, who was frowning at Bunny. They didn't say anything for a second, Bunny smiling as if he had the best idea ever and Isagi lost between embarrassment and some sort of anger.
"You mean auedif?"
He had no idea what was happening. Especially when his boyfriend hit his head against the palm of his hand and mumbled something like Why are you like this?
"I can't believe you remembered."
"Oh, Yoichi. I always remember people that makes me want to die!"
Rin should feel alerted by Bunny's words. Or maybe feel more threatened. Or something like this. But frankly? They were all weird. It wouldn't have been the first time Bunny said something like this. Sae sighed and began to serve everyone and Rin almost gagged seeing that Bunny kept his hands on Sae's waist. What a jerk, he thought before remembering they were married and made him even more disgusted.
"If you feel weird, it is maybe the poison I put in it," Bunny said all smile, his first bite halfway to his mouth. "Oh, I made ensaimada for desert. Don't eat too much."
Rin rolled his eyes, but digged in without another word. It was strange enough for him to shut up and eat. He never had been good to talk — especially to his brother and his husband. They were quiet most of the time (unless Bunny wanted to tease one of them) and they liked it this way. But Isagi— Isagi wasn't used to silence. His family was always talking. The house he grew up in had always been filled with noise. It didn't surprise Rin when he finally broke the silence which was only awkward for him.
"What do you think of the new french selection?"
Good opening. Sae rolled his eyes and almost spat venom when he answered Lukewarm which made Bunny laugh. At least Rin could participate in this one — and the dinner went like this. Going back and forth over projections of the next matches, who they'd meet, who'd become rising stars. Bunny disappeared to gave them parts of ensaimada before bothering Isagi until he followed him in elsewhere.
"Probably off showing other pictures of you," Sae said behind Rin. He answered with a groan, pushing the plate on the table. "Good choice in wine. It's his favorite."
Rin raised an eyebrow. Tepid bunny, he sighed for himself.
"Next time you're coming to my apartment," he retorted instead. "I will make something better than this."
It wasn't true. Rin was a disaster in a kitchen. He was better than Sae but only because Isagi wasn't great either so they had to learn together by force. Bunny was probably the only one who knew how to cook correctly between the four of them. Sae answered with a shrug which clearly meant Believe in your dreams, I guess.
"I thought you'd never ask," said Sae after a while. He was sipping on his tea, eyes locked on the wind outside. "Eating with us."
"I didn't know it was something you'd even want."
It was bitter. Cruel on the verge of the words. Rin knew he shouldn't but— it was still like this. Scars on their heart and sometimes it would spill. Sae didn't take offense.
"Well, we did."
Rin shrugged in turn. He could hear Bunny laughing and saying Look at little Sae! and Isagi trying to stifle a laugh. Maybe he could grew used to this. It wasn't as warm than the Isagi's house—but it was something. It was the start of something they couldn't even think about a few months back.
And for once— they were willing to try. Coming here hadn't been the worst idea Isagi had.