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Takumi sits between the living room and the shop, a warm thermos between his hands. The TV drones on behind him, accompanied by the bitter scent of smoke. He has no idea how his dad manages to find all these talk shows, but Takumi swears there's a new host every single time the TV is on.
He also doesn't know how his dad can spend all this time watching them, but there's nothing he's going to do about it.
Takumi runs his thumb down the side of the thermos, catching on a small dent in the otherwise smooth metal. He finds a scratch just beside it, letting his nail follow the length of it.
Was this really the only thermos they had?
He should've just bought a new one when he was out at the store today. Surely he had enough money for it.
Takumi's phone rings and he jolts up, almost dropping the thermos. He sets it down beside him with a clatter and digs his phone out of his pocket. "Hey?"
"Takumi." Keisuke's voice filters through the speakers, just a touch tinny but still with that unmistakable roughness from cigarette smoke. "I'm out front."
"Keisuke, I'll be out in a sec." Takumi grabs the thermos with one hand and rests his phone against his shoulders. "Dad, I'm going out!"
His dad grumbles something but he already has his phone back against his ear to catch the tail end of Keisuke's laughter. "See ya soon," Keisuke says before ending the call.
Takumi shoves on his snow boots, balancing on one foot while securing the straps with the thermos tucked under his arm. He tightens his jacket around his shoulders before slipping out the front of the store, letting the door slam behind him.
Keisuke's FD stands out bright against the fresh snow, headlights catching the few flakes still falling. Takumi pulls out his keys, fumbling with them for a second before locking the door.
Keisuke flashes his high beams, quick enough to just be teasing. Takumi hurries across the street all the same, snow crunching underfoot. Takumi pulls the passenger's side door open, a grin pulling at his lips.
Keisuke matches his grin, just a touch lopsided. "You took your time."
"It was two minutes at most." Takumi settles into the passenger's seat. Even with just the regular seat beat, the bucket seat is stiff and steady.
Keisuke drops a box in a bag in his lap. Takumi pokes around at the bag but Keisuke stops him with a hand on top of his. "Don't look yet."
"I thought you weren't bringing anything." Takumi adjusts his grip on both the box and thermos, keeping them steady.
Keisuke flashes Takumi a smug grin. "I'm full of surprises."
Takumi huffs a laugh with a slow shake of his head. "Just start driving."
Keisuke drops his hand to the gear stick and puts the car into gear. "Not gonna ask where we're going?"
"I trust you," Takumi says, quieter now. He tightens his grip on the box and plastic crinkles. "And it can't be worse than that diner."
That pulls another laugh out of Keisuke. "That diner was kinda shitty."
"Kinda shitty is an understatement."
Keisuke hums with a grin and accelerates hard out of the light. He gives Takumi a quick glance, something pleased in his gaze.
Takumi scoffs goodnaturedly, holding on tight to the way that looks warms him.
At this hour it doesn't take them long to get out of the city, traffic light even with the holidays looming over the incoming weeks. The snow piles up on the edges of the road out here, nowhere near enough people to scrape it away more than one a day. Keisuke fiddles with the AC occasionally, turning the heat up and down in seemingly random intervals.
It fights off any chill that seeps in through the windows, icy and biting.
It only takes a couple of minutes for Takumi to recognize the route. He straightens up in the bucket seat. "We're going to Akina?"
Keisuke glances over at him, a flicker of something hesitant in his eyes. "You okay with that?"
"It's fine." It's been a long time since Takumi's been to Akina in the winter just for fun rather than work. "The lake isn't gonna be frozen though."
"I know that," Keisuke says quickly. "I wouldn't go to a lake that large if I wanted to see it frozen."
"I just wanted to make sure you knew." Akagi has a lake too but Takumi has no idea if it freezes this early into the winter season.
It doesn't take them long after that to get to the base of the mountain, dark roads unfurling in front of them. Snow still catches in the FD's headlights.
The relaxed edge in Keisuke's posture bleeds away and he readjusts his grip on the steering wheel while dropping his hand to the gear stick. "You got a good grip on everything?"
Takumi pulls the box and thermos closer to his stomach and grabs the door handle with his other hand. "Yep."
Keisuke smirks and slams hard enough on the acceleration that Takumi can feel it.
Even with the risk of snow and ice on the road, Keisuke flies up the pass. The FD follows his every command, her engine roaring as he swings the car around corners and pushes through straights.
It is exhilarating in a way that Takumi didn't know was possible. It is nothing like sitting passenger to Iketani or Itsuki driving.
The feeling settles in his chest in that strange place he's still trying to decipher, where the feeling he gets after winning a race lives.
Keisuke doesn't slow down until he gets to the lake, pulling into one of the parking spots close to the park and water. Takumi gathers the box and thermos into one arm and climbs out of the FD. He meets Keisuke halfway around the car and pulls him into a hug.
The way Keisuke wraps his arms around Takumi's shoulders is just as exhilarating. His bright yellow eyesore of a jacket is warm and plush, perfect for the chill settling over the night.
Keisuke pulls away first, dropping one of his hands to Takumi's wrist. "Like the drive that much?"
Takumi readjusts his grip so his hand slots into Keisuke's and nods. Keisuke grins, his lopsided boyish one, and tugs Takumi towards one of the benches.
The wood is cold and damp but the feeling is secondary to the warmth from Keisuke's hand in his. He takes the box from Takumi and sets it in his lap and pulls it out of the plastic bag. "What's in the thermos?"
Takumi drops Keisuke's hand to open the thermos, steam billowing the moment he removes the cap. He holds it out to Keisuke. "Try it."
Keisuke takes the thermos and brings the edge to his lips. He lowers after taking a sip. "Hot chocolate?"
Takumi nods, holding out his hand. "Sweeter than coffee."
Keisuke passes the thermos back. "Definitely. Put some caffeine in it and it'll be better than coffee too."
Takumi takes a sip from the thermos, relishing the sweet taste of warm chocolate across his tongue.
Keisuke opens the box in his lap, carefully freeing the tabs and pushing the lid back. He pulls one out, some kind of small, white treat, and wordlessly offers it to Takumi.
Takumi balances the thermos on the bench between his legs and takes the treat. He bites into it and is met with red beans and strawberries after the mochi wrapping. He finishes the rest quickly, the strawberry just tart enough after the hot chocolate.
Any tension in Keisuke's posture seeps away. "Like it?"
"Yes." Takumi reaches over to grab another one.
Keisuke pulls the box out of Takumi's reach. "At least let me have the hot chocolate before you take them all."
Takumi holds out the thermos, giving him the leverage to reach further and grab another of the mochi. Keisuke laughs, dropping the box between them and taking a long sip from the thermos.
They work through the mochi and hot chocolate, passing the thermos between them as they watch the water lap at the shore or the occasional owl fly past. Once they're done, Takumi grabs Keisuke's hand as he starts on a cigarette, the faint light brightening his face.
There is always something attractive about Keisuke and the soft light just emphasizes it.
Takumi glances down to their hands as Keisuke tightens his grip, catching the exposed strip of skin on his neck not covered by his hair or jacket.
A wicked idea crosses Takumi's mind.
He reaches down and scoops up a large handful of snow, and presses it against the back of Keisuke's neck.
Keisuke flinches and quickly brings his hands up to wipe off the snow. "Takumi!"
Takumi just breaks out into laughter, the kind that you can't just stop until it's run its course.
Keisuke scoffs but there's something light to it. He reaches down and before Takumi can prepare himself, snow splatters across his face.
He brushes it off to the sound of Keisuke's own laughter.
Takumi grabs more snow and throws it back at Keisuke.
At this point, things devolve into a complete snow fight that ends with both of them laying on the ground and gouges of snow taken from the ground.
Keisuke turns to face Takumi with a grin, his face flushed.
Takumi grabs his arm and pulls him closer, his breath warming his face.
Quiet laughter bubbles up in his chest, pleasant and warm.
Keisuke leans in and presses a quick kiss to Takumi's lips, his lips chapped from the cold and wind. "God I love you."
Takumi smiles to the point his cheeks ache. "I love you too."